In a decision released on January 19, 2024, the Ontario Physicians and Surgeons Discipline Tribunal (OPSDT) of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) found that Dr. Caroline Anne Turek had made unprofessional comments on social media and other online forums about the COVID-19 pandemic.
Based on a joint submission of the parties, the OPSDT accepted that the penalty for Dr. Turek should be a two-month suspension and a reprimand.
FACTS
Dr. Turek identified herself as a physician on her Twitter and Facebook accounts. Her posts on those and other public platforms between 2020 and 2022 included:
DECISION
The OPSDT observed that trained physicians publicly discouraging people from following public health guidelines and promoting unrecognized treatments undermined the actions of the public health authorities at a critical time. As such, Dr. Turek’s actions constituted disgraceful, dishonourable and unprofessional conduct.
The OPSDT distinguished the facts of this case from other more serious discipline matters relating to improper communications about public health guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic where physicians received more serious penalties.
As a result, Dr. Turek received a penalty of a reprimand and a two month suspension from the practice of medicine.
Decision Date: January 19, 2024
Jurisdiction: Ontario Physicians and Surgeons Discipline Tribunal
Citation: College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario v. Turek, 2024 ONPSDT 1
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