Disparagement

The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. is opposed to the dissemination of statements which degrade or disparage, as a group, physicians who practice in our specialty or any other specialty.

The Academy disapproves of the use of the lay media or scientific publications to denigrate physicians who are well trained to provide care for patients whose medical problems are managed by more than one specialty.

While government regulations and legal consequences must be considered, these restraints must not be permitted to prevent Academy members from exercising their appropriate responsibilities on behalf of their patients and members of the Academy. We are opposed to any disparaging, fraudulent, or deceptive statements against any group of competent physicians.

Adopted 9/1/82
Reviewed 9/20/95
Revised 9/20/95
Submitted for Review 3/1/98
Reaffirmed 3/1/98
Reaffirmed 1/17/07

Guidelines are not a substitute for the experience and judgment of a physician and are developed to enhance the physicians' ability to practice evidence-based medicine.

Important Notice

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. and Foundation (AAO-HNS/F) Policy Statements are guidelines only. In no sense do they represent a standard of care. The applicability of an indicator for a procedure, and/or of the process or outcome criteria, must be determined by the responsible physician in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient. Adherence to these guidelines will not ensure successful treatment in every situation. The AAO-HNS emphasizes that these policies should not be deemed inclusive of all proper treatment decisions or methods of care, nor exclusive of other treatment decisions or methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results.