英文摘要 |
The Regulation of Medicine has long been recognized as within the state's police power. Yet when the state regulates physician's speech, it potentially raises First Amendment concerns. A growing number of U.S. courts are recognizing a new First Amendment doctrine governing regulation of a category of expression known as ''professional speech''. The professional speech doctrine is generally used by courts to reduce the level of First Amendment protection professionals receive for their expression. When regulations of professionals restrict what they may say to clients or compel them to convey a message to a client, however, the First Amendment rights of professionals are implicated. Professional speech ought to be protected against state interference so that professionals can give their clients and patients accurate, reliable, and comprehensive advice. The physician-patient speech doctrine is a dynamic area of First Amendment law. It is critical to approach speech restrictions and compulsions that affect the physician-patient relationship as striking at core First Amendment interests of doctors and patients. Speech compulsions that order physicians to disclose information that conflicts with the weight of medical authority have the potential to chill physician speech and thus fail to reflect the imperative need for confidence and trust between doctors and patients. The First Amendment protects the content of professional speech from state interference that contradicts professional insights, but it does not prohibit the state from regulating professionals. |