Physician Leadership Journal
Medical Staffs and Misinformation: What Physician Leaders Need to Know
Physician-spread misinformation during COVID-19 led to controversy and new standards for professionalism, with future complaints expected. Steps to protect against misinformation are discussed.
July/August 2025 Vol. 12, No. 4 pp. 1–4 DOI: 10.55834/plj.7080671443
Abstract
Inaccurate medical information spread by physicians generated considerable controversy during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting many professional organizations to create or update standards for physician professionalism. The Federation of State Medical Boards and others predict that boards will receive an increasing number of complaints about misinformation and disinformation in the future. This article discusses steps that physician leaders can take to protect their organizations, patients, and the public from inaccurate information spread by members of their medical staff.
