The Connecticut State Board of Medicine Rules on Advertising for Medical Doctors are designed to ensure that medical doctor advertising is truthful, not misleading, and does not exploit patients. The rules apply to all forms of advertising, including print, television, radio, and online.

Here are some of the key provisions of the rules:

Advertising must not be false, deceptive, or misleading. This includes making claims that are not supported by evidence, or that are likely to create unrealistic expectations in patients.

Advertising must not omit any pertinent information. This includes information about the risks and benefits of any treatment or procedure, as well as the qualifications and experience of the doctor.

Advertising must not use testimonials or endorsements from patients. This is because patients may feel pressure to endorse a doctor even if they are not satisfied with the care they received.

Advertising must not compare the doctor’s services to those of another doctor. This is because such comparisons can be misleading and unfair.

The Connecticut State Board of Medicine also has specific rules governing the use of certain terms in advertising, such as “board certified” and “specialist.” For example, a doctor can only advertise that they are board certified if they have been certified by a specialty board that is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

The Board of Medicine takes violations of its advertising rules seriously. Doctors who violate the rules may be subject to disciplinary action, including fines, suspension, or even revocation of their license.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when reviewing medical doctor advertising:

Be wary of any advertising that makes claims that seem too good to be true.

Do your research to make sure that the doctor is qualified and experienced in the area of medicine that you are interested in.

Ask the doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or procedure before you agree to it.

If you have any concerns about a doctor’s advertising, you can report it to the Connecticut State Board of Medicine.

Obviously we are not a law firm and cannot provide legal advice, if your reading this you are likely in the healthcare industry and should speak with an Ethics Attorney or your Board. This content is for informational purpose only.

Sasmita Pati