How to fight against sectarian excesses in health? A partnership between Miviludes and the National Council of the Order of Physicians could help raise awareness of this problem.
For the first time, the interministerial mission for vigilance and the fight against sectarian aberrations (Miviludes) joins forces with health professionals in order to fight against sectarian aberrations. Indeed, this interministerial mission aims to “coordinate the preventive and repressive action of the public authorities against sectarian aberrations, and to inform the public about the risks”.
In this context, it has signed an agreement with the National Council of the Order of Doctors and Nurses, to better inform patients and practitioners about sectarian practices related to health.
40% of reports
However, these are numerous. This year, of the 2,400 reports of sectarian behavior that it received, 40% concerned health (around 960 cases). Alternative but unscientific therapies, non-rigorous care practices, unscrupulous practitioners: these are the issues Miviludes had to look into.
Several factors explain this phenomenon, first and foremost the public’s enthusiasm for alternative care methods, and the proliferation of training courses not recognized by the State. They paved the way for abuses and sectarian practices, with risks for the most fragile patients.
Emphasize the message
The agreement should allow Miviludes to exchange more effectively with health professionals. It is now expected that the Order of Physicians systematically transmits to it the sanctions it issues against practitioners, for sectarian aberrations.
The Order and Miviludes should also set up a joint communication campaign, to accentuate the message of prevention against risks. Practical sheets on risky alternative therapies will also be distributed to doctors.
.