A small number of doctors spreading misinformation about COVID-19 contributing to vaccine rejection: CPSA

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A handful of doctors spreading misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines are preventing some Albertans from getting the needle stick, says the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA).

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The CPSA issued two letters this week, one to Albertans and physicians, expressing concern about a small number of physicians spreading misinformation and sometimes prescribing medications without evidence of successful treatment for the disease. COVID-19.

Doctors who defy “proper professional conduct,” are not vaccinated, spread COVID-19 misinformation, or both can expect a formal complaint and the consequences that follow, the CPSA cautions members.

Dr. Scott McLeod, CPSA Registrar and CEO, told the media Wednesday morning that a CPSA survey of more than 5,000 respondents found that more than 96 percent of physicians have been vaccinated. Rather than requiring vaccination of members, the CPSA’s approach is to ensure that correct information is provided to the public.

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“Trying to impose vaccination when … the real concern was the messages and actions of doctors that are leading to the other 25 percent of Albertans not getting vaccinated,” McLeod said.

CPSA board chairman Dr. Louis Francescutti said it also helps that some of the few unvaccinated physicians work directly or indirectly with Alberta Health Services and will be bound by that vaccination mandate anyway. He said the fourth wave is a wave of unvaccinated people and that stopping the spread of misinformation could result in more Albertans getting the vaccine.

“We have never had a vaccine that is safer than this: it has been tested, it has been used all over the world, there have been a multitude of studies that have shown us that yes, they developed quickly, but they developed quickly thanks to collaborative effort. international that was well financed and that was pressured by what is a global pandemic, “said Francescutti.

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“There really isn’t much to question about the safety of the vaccine. Unfortunately, all these conspiracy theories that we have to work against abound. “

The warning to physicians comes after a CPSA board meeting on September 20, where it was unanimously accepted that, as part of the profession’s social responsibility to protect Albertans, all regulated members must be fully vaccinated. The letter was issued on the day that Alberta recorded the highest number of patients, most of them unvaccinated, admitted to Alberta’s intensive care units since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has an October 31 deadline for its more than 100,000 employees to be vaccinated. Spokesperson Kerry Williamson said in an email Tuesday that more than 50,000 staff members, including medical and midwifery personnel, have already provided proof of being fully vaccinated.

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The last an employee can receive their second dose is October 16, two weeks before October 31. Any employee who cannot be vaccinated for a medical reason or for reasons under Alberta Human Rights Law will be “reasonably accommodated.”

Francescutti said the CPSA’s goal is to have conversations with doctors who are spreading misinformation because it can often lead to a change in habits, however, he said if they continue to spread lies they will face consequences.

“We don’t want to punish the doctors. We don’t want to fight with the doctors. We want doctors to do the best they can, ”Francescutti said.

“If this presents an opportunity to have a conversation with them and let them know that they notified us that either a social post or comments they made, or if they have been providing exemptions for vaccines or masking, which are extremely rare, we would like to find out why. and try to work with them to see if they can change their habits. “

McLeod said there has been an increase in the number of reports on member physicians and the complaints department is working through them to see which ones have evidence to back up the claim. Reports with credible evidence would then go to a hearing process where the accused could face consequences.

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Reference-edmontonjournal.com

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