- A state government panel in Oregon has barred a psychiatrist
from practicing medicine because he talked to his patients about the "new
world order," saying such discussions could cause "emotional
duress."
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- George F. Wittkopp, M.D., 60, signed a disciplinary
order by the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners on Feb. 3, agreeing to stop
practicing medicine due to "unprofessional conduct and repeated acts
of negligence," according to a report in the Portland Oregonian.
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- "This is all about religion and politics,"
Wittkopp told the paper. "It's not about competence."
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- The controversy began in 2002, when Wittkopp, in an
interview with the board's investigative committee, defended his use of
"reality testing" on patients. The report states that to help
some patients, Wittkopp gave them information on the "new world order,"
which he considers an international effort "to establish world government
and a world economic system and a world religion."
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- In October, the regulatory panel placed Wittkopp on
probation and suspended him from practicing. The board said it would stay
the suspension if he paid $5,000 and completed a monitored, mandatory program.
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- Wittkopp refused, leading to his signing the order this
month.
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- According to the Oregonian report, a review of the medical
charts of six patients by the board showed a pattern of inappropriate prescribing
of medicines. In addition, the board said, he sometimes used treatments
without adequate explanation or medical rationale.
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- In 2003, the board decided Wittkopp's practice of talking
to patients about the "new world order" reflected "poor
medical judgment that could be destabilizing and cause patients to suffer
mental and emotional duress."
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- "They say I talk about things they don't like me
to talk about," Wittkopp told the Portland paper.
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- Under the disciplinary order, Wittkopp cannot resume
his medical practice until he complies with the demands of the board.
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