Year: 2018
Resolution Number: 85
Action Taken: Disapproved
Status:
Author(s): Robert M. Doane, MD
Sponsor: Robert M. Doane, MD
On behalf of: Individual Delegate
Committee: Rules and Order of Business
Resolved Section(s):
RESOLVED: That the Michigan Delegation to the American Medical Association (AMA) ask our AMA to actively pursue legislation to require the complete deletion of any negative evaluations and comments from physician rating websites that are proven to be false; and be it furtherRESOLVED: That the Michigan Delegation to the American Medical Association (AMA) ask our AMA to amend AMA policy D-478.980, œAnonymous Cyberspace Evaluations of Physicians, by addition and deletion as follows:Our AMA will: (1) work with appropriate entities to encourage the adoption of guidelines and standards consistent with AMA policy governing the public release and accurate use of physician data; (2) continue pursuing initiatives to identify and offer tools to physicians that allow them to manage their online profile and presence; (3) provide advice on how to legally respond to negative evaluations and false information including but not limited to the removal of such information from physician rating websites; (4) aggressively seek legislation that supports the creation of laws to better protect physicians from cyber-libel, cyber-slander, cyber-bullying and the dissemination of Internet misinformation and provide for the deletion of information found to be false and for civil remedies and criminal sanctions for the violation of such laws; and (4) (5) work to secure legislation that would require that the Web sites purporting to offer evaluations of physicians state prominently on their Web sites whether or not they are officially endorsed, approved or sanctioned by any medical regulatory agency or authority or organized medical association including a state medical licensing agency, state Department of Health or Medical Board, and whether or not they are a for-profit independent business and have or have not substantiated the authenticity of individuals completing their surveys.
RESOLVED: That the Michigan Delegation to the American Medical Association (AMA) ask our AMA to actively pursue legislation to require the complete deletion of any negative evaluations and comments from physician rating websites that are proven to be false; and be it furtherRESOLVED: That the Michigan Delegation to the American Medical Association (AMA) ask our AMA to amend AMA policy D-478.980, œAnonymous Cyberspace Evaluations of Physicians, by addition and deletion as follows:Our AMA will: (1) work with appropriate entities to encourage the adoption of guidelines and standards consistent with AMA policy governing the public release and accurate use of physician data; (2) continue pursuing initiatives to identify and offer tools to physicians that allow them to manage their online profile and presence; (3) provide advice on how to legally respond to negative evaluations and false information including but not limited to the removal of such information from physician rating websites; (4) aggressively seek legislation that supports the creation of laws to better protect physicians from cyber-libel, cyber-slander, cyber-bullying and the dissemination of Internet misinformation and provide for the deletion of information found to be false and for civil remedies and criminal sanctions for the violation of such laws; and (4) (5) work to secure legislation that would require that the Web sites purporting to offer evaluations of physicians state prominently on their Web sites whether or not they are officially endorsed, approved or sanctioned by any medical regulatory agency or authority or organized medical association including a state medical licensing agency, state Department of Health or Medical Board, and whether or not they are a for-profit independent business and have or have not substantiated the authenticity of individuals completing their surveys.
Fiscal Note: NULL
Resolution: View PDF for Remove False and Inflammatory Online Evaluations and Ratings of Physicians
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