2022 Association of American Physicians Presidential Address Communicating as a physician-scientist

ABSTRACT

In a speech, 2022 Association of American Physicians Presidential Elizabeth McNally discusses the communication as a physician-scientist. Here, she shares that as a practicing physician, she finds mistrust is more commonplace than he has ever before experienced. She is especially concerned by physician-scientists who promote unsubstantiated ideas and claims and who intentionally fan the flames of suspicion and conspiracy. During this pandemic, certain physician-scientists vastly overstepped their knowledge and expertise, even promoting ideas that are not in the interest of human health. Some pushed false beliefs about "herd immunity" of populations who were "protected" and did not need vaccines. As a community of scientifically oriented practitioners, people hold a responsibility to counter these claims and to correct those who promote these falsehoods.