He is disgracing the profession, selling quack medicine

Apr 29, 2015 14:07 GMT  ·  By
Dr. Oz defends himself from criticism, claims freedom of speech allows him to continue being a quack doctor on TV
   Dr. Oz defends himself from criticism, claims freedom of speech allows him to continue being a quack doctor on TV

Dr. Oz’s recent attempts to defend himself from a new wave of criticism on the way he promotes certain products and cures on his popular show, even though they’re not backed up by any scientific fact, are coming back at him tenfold.

It all started last year, when he appeared in Congress to answer claims that he was encouraging an industry of supplements by promoting quack medicine on his show. Then, a study proved that less than 40% of the stuff discussed and promoted on his show worked the way he said it did. This month, a group of doctors asked for him to be dismissed from Columbia University, where he held an administrative position on the faculty.

Dr. Oz’s defense strategy prompts even harsher attack

To defend himself, Dr. Oz dedicated an entire episode of his show to addressing the claims made by those 10 doctors in the letter. He said that they called him a quack doctor because they had an interest with certain industry groups that didn’t want him (Oz) to continue pushing for GMO labeling.

He also did several appearances in which he argued that his show wasn’t a “medical show” despite all signs pointing to the contrary, and that he wasn’t peddling nonsense products: he was keeping his viewers informed.

At the same time, it was his right granted by the constitution to talk about whatever he wanted on his show, he said. He would not have his freedom of speech infringed, and he would continue with the show.

This defense strategy has prompted an even harsher attack, both from his medical peers and his colleagues in the media, neither of whom consider valid the distinction he makes between a medical doctor and a TV talk show host.

Embedded below is John Oliver’s take on the scandal. This is not the first time he tackles the issue, as you will see in the second video, from an episode that aired last summer, after Oz’s Congress meeting. *Please be advised that some discretion is recommended before viewing either, as they contain graphic language that might offend.

SERMO says Dr. Oz is disgracing the profession

SERMO, described as “doctors’ virtual lounge,” has conducted a poll to see what medical peers think of the allegations that seem to pile up about Dr. Oz. Over 2,000 physicians participated in the poll, and over 1,500 of them thought that he should resign from Columbia University.

A smaller percentage, of 24%, said that he should also have his license revoked, because a celebrity doctor has even more responsibility towards his patients because of the platform he speaks out from.

Dr. Linda Girgis, SERMO member and Family Medicine physician, puts it this way: “As doctors, patients trust us to pass on the best medical advice to them to enable them to make the best healthcare decisions. We have spent many years studying and training to learn the science behind what we are doing.”

Furthermore, “Legally, we are expected to practice within a certain standard of care (what other doctors are doing). It is not acceptable for doctors to invent their own science. We have researchers and organizations that carry out clinical trials in order to keep patients safe. When we throw out that data, we are ignoring patient safety.”

However, SERMO wants an open dialog with Dr. Oz and they want him to understand that he can’t both be a doctor in real life and play one in front of the cameras, when he’s in fact a celebrity. These two exclude one another, and they want him to choose.

They also encourage members to tweet their questions directly to Dr. Oz, using the hashtag #SERMOasksOZ. Obviously, he hasn’t responded to any of their messages yet.