Eric R. Braverman, M.D. (1957- ) is the founder and director of PATH Medical, a clinic that purports to focus on “brain health.” (PATH is an acronym for “Place for Achieving Total Health.”) He is also the founder and president of PATH Foundation NY, a non-profit organization described on its Web site as “devoted to …
Eric R. Braverman, M.D. (1957- ) is the founder and director of PATH Medical, a clinic that purports to focus on “brain health.” (PATH is an acronym for “Place for Achieving Total Health.”) He is also the founder and president of PATH Foundation NY, a non-profit organization described on its Web site as “devoted to establishing how the brain functions and using that information to develop practical diagnostic and treatment methods that improve wellbeing and increase longevity.” [1] He also operated Total Health Nutrients, LLC, which marketed dietary supplements online and within his office at 304 Park Avenue South in New York City. He hosts a weekly radio program and has written or co-authored about a dozen books about brain/body health and nutrition and a few on religious topics. A curriculum vitae posted on the PATH Medical Web site in 2014 described him as an “accomplished, world-renowned doctor, researcher, author, television and radio personality specializing in neurology, biochemistry, anti-aging, longevity, total health and wellness.” This report describes why I am skeptical about what he does.
Background History
A recent Braverman CV states that he received a bachelor of arts degree in general science from Brandeis University in 1979, graduated from New York University Medical School in 1983, and had “postgraduate experience” at Massachusetts General Hospital (1978-1979) and Greenwich Hospital (1983-1984). [2] The listing for Greenwich does not indicate whether it was for one or two years, but other sources indicate that it was one. The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), which is the standard-setting organization for medical specialties, does not list him as board-certified. It’s not clear how he could have had postgraduate experience at Massachusetts General Hospital before he graduated from college. Braverman is “certified in anti-aging medicine” by the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine, but this board is not recognized by the ABMS. All ABMS-recognized boards require at least three years of full-time postgraduate training in an approved program. The Anti-Aging board has no such requirement.
Braverman gave more detail about his early career in an article published in 1989 in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, a publication that caters to practitioners who advocate using large doses of nutrients for treating schizophrenia and many other illnesses. At age 18, Braverman met and was impressed by Carl C. Pfeiffer, M.D., Ph.D. (1908-1988), who directed a megavitamin clinic called the Princeton Brain Bio Center. After completing his sophomore year at Brandeis, Braverman began helping Pfeiffer with research projects. He described his early association this way:“I slept on the floor at work, lived in his house, lived in his office, lived in the house next to the office. I lived and ate his vision of medical conquest.”
After graduating from medical school, Braverman completed a 1-year internal medicine internship, then went to work at the Brain Bio Center, and later opened his own office in New Jersey. The article states that he was “in trouble” during his internship because of his unconventional ideas about nutrition [3].
In 1987, Braverman and Pfeiffer co-authored a book called The Healing Nutrients Within, which stated, “Pfeiffer’s Law—We have found that if a drug can be found to do the job of medical healing, a nutrient can be found to do the same job. When we understand how a drug works, we can imitate its action with one of the nutrients.” [4] This claim is preposterous.
From 1988 to 1996, Braverman was also a columnist for Total Health magazine, which promoted dietary supplements and many off-beat health approaches. During most of this period, the magazine’s masthead identified him as “Rabbi Eric R. Braverman, M.D.” and listed him as a “religion consultant.” Neither his CV nor any other source I could find online indicate a basis for his use of this title. The standard pathway to becoming a rabbi is to attend a rabbinical college for several years. In 2017, Braverman’s attorney sent me a photograph of a certificate that she said was proof that he was a rabbi. However, several experts who examined the document told me that it merely said he had completed certain studies under the supervision of a rabbi.
Braverman has been licensed to practice medicine in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Utah. All but Alabama are still active. During the 1990s, Braverman owned and directed a clinic called Princeton Associates for Total Health. In 1998, after having been disciplined (as described below) by the New Jersey Medical Board, Braverman worked briefly with Dr. Robert Atkins and then opened PATH Medical in New York City [5].
In a brochure for a 1999 seminar, Braverman described himself as “one of the foremost experts on the integration of conventional and alternative medicine.” The brochure stated that “the goal at PATH Medical is to regain health through a new, proven ‘brain first’ approach. Through the brain, one can diagnose and treat problems of the heart, blood, muscle, bone, lung, GI tract, nerves, and skin.”
At various times during the past several years, in addition to Braverman, PATH’s Web site has listed eight medical doctors, one osteopath, one chiropractor, two physician assistants, one acupuncturist, and a “Ph.D.” nutritionist. The nutritionist, John Pillepich, Ph.D., has a bachelor’s degree in health sciences from The College at Rockport, a master’s degree in nutritional sciences from the University of Washington, and a “Ph.D. in holistic nutrition” from Clayton College of Natural Medicine [6]. The first two schools are accredited, but Clayton was a nonaccredited correspondence school that shut down several years ago because it could not meet state licensing standards [7]. A former director of product development at the Brain Bio Center, Pillepich worked part-time for Braverman from 2004 through 2014, during part of which he was designated as “chief science advisor” for Total Health Nutrients. He also operates SupraHealth, which markets dietary supplements and provides “customized healing programs” to people who e-mail their concerns and questions related to 18 categories of health problems listed on the SupraHealth site [8].
Questionable Claims
The claims made by Braverman and his clinic were not modest. In a PATH Medical infomercial posted to YouTube:
- Braverman said his Executive Health Program “goes far beyond what the most famous clinics offer.”
- A patient said: “Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t be cured. Because at PATH Medical and Dr. Braverman, anything can be cured.”
- The narrator said: “They treat causes, not symptoms. They deliver cures, not prescription pad band-aids.”
- The narrator also said: “He has worked miracles for his patients to help them live longer, live better, look better, and operate at peak performance.” [9]
In an article titled “Treat Your Brain Well . . . and It Will Treat You To A Longer and Better Life,” PATH Medical’s Web site stated:
Over four decades of research and clinical practice, Eric R. Braverman, M.D. has associated deficiencies in four primary neurotransmitters (brain chemicals)—Dopamine, Acetylcholine, GABA, Serotonin—to specific diseases and the general slowing down related to aging. The good news from Dr. Braverman is you can avoid, slow, reverse, or even cure medical conditions with natural approaches—diet, exercise, and nutritional supplements [10].
The article included a table that lists than 50 symptoms, diseases, and disease groups— abnormal smell, action tremors, addiction, allergies, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, backache, blurred vision, carb craving, chest pain, chronic pain, cold/clammy hands, confusion, dizziness, dry cough, eye disorders, facial tremors, fat craving, fatigue, flushing, flushing or pallor, hallucinations, headaches, heart issues, hypertension, insomnia, joint pain, kidney issues, memory loss, multiple sclerosis, muscle tension, nausea, osteoporosis, palpitations, Parkinson’s, PMS, poor concentration, poor libido, restlessness, salt craving, seizures, sexual dysfunction, shortness of breath, speech problems, stomach/G.I. issues, stroke, sweating, tachycardia, thyroid disorders, tinnitus, weight gain, and yawning—all of which Braverman claims are “deficiency symptoms” that are amenable to “natural treatment approaches.” The “natural approaches,” as shown in a portion of the table pictured below, include foods, dietary supplements and exercise. The article concludes: “For a comprehensive assessment of your neurotransmitters and anti-aging treatments that are based upon quantitative information—not guesswork—schedule a Brain Electrical Activity Map (BEAM) test today.”
Neurotransmitter (Brain Chemical) | Deficiency Conditions | Natural Treatment Approaches |
---|---|---|
Acetylcholine | Arthritis Fat craving Memory loss Eye disorders Dry mouth Dry cough Speech problems Sexual dysfunction Osteoporosis Multiple Sclerosis Alzheimer’s | Diet: choline-rich; almonds; artichokes; lean beef; broccoli; Brussels sprouts; cabbage; fish; pine nuts; tomato paste; wheat bran; toasted wheat germ Supplements: phosphatidyl choline powder; choline powder; huperzine A; phosphatidylserine, dopa bean; Ginkgo biloba; piracetam; Omega-3 fish oil; pregnenolone Exercise: aerobics (30 min per day) |
PATH Medical’s Web site also had a free “Brain Deficiency Quiz” claimed to relate common symptoms to neurotransmitter deficiencies, which it states can be corrected with supplements [11]. I do not believe this test is valid.
Proof that Braverman’s treatment strategies are effective against this enormous number of diseases would require hundreds (possibly thousands) of well-designed clinical trials in which patients who receive a treatment regimen are compared to patients who do not. In February 2017, I searched the U.S. National Library of Medicine PubMed database for “Braverman, E” and found his name as author or co-author of about 90 publications in medical journals. However, except for one article about substance abuse, there were no outcome studies of his “natural treatment approaches.” His 2017 CV includes about 100 more publications that appeared in lesser journals or were presented as abstracts at meetings. Only a few of these involved nutrient supplementation. Thus I see no published evidence that he has done even a tiny fraction of the studies that would be needed to substantiate his sweeping claims for BEAM testing and its associated treatment.
Questionable Testing
There is good reason to believe that patients who souught services at PATH Medical were encouraged to undergo expensive tests that the scientific community would consider unnecessary. On “Larry King Live,” Braverman said that the clinic did “a brain health assessment on virtually everybody, because your brain health, your mind, your concentration, your memory, your brain’s speed, your personality, your temperament, all impact your entire well being, and the course of every disease and the course of having a healthier life. . . When you treat the brain, you’re impacting every illness in your entire life. But what’s different about us is that we do a head-to-toe computerized exam. Every doctor in America knows that a head-to-toe physical is the way you make observations about health. But today, the computer can actually make a better examination than a manual physician.” [12]
PATH Medical described its Executive Health Program (EHP) as a “comprehensive head-to-toe examination in one day.” Its components are said to include brain health assessments (including BEAM testing, which costs about $2,000), head-to-toe ultrasounds, a neuromuscular-skeletal review, and tests of more than 250 “medical and aging markers.” [13] A few of these, such as blood lipid levels, are standard screening tests, but the vast majority have not been proven cost-effective. Ultrasound testing is an example. There are many situations where ultrasound can help doctors evaluate the structure or function of parts of the body in patients who are having symptoms. But the odds of finding something significant are much too small to justify its use in patients who have no symptoms. The cost of the Executive Health Program depended on the number of tests ordered. Six “levels” are available: the “½ Silver Program,” the “Silver Program” ($10,000), the “Platinum Program,” the “Rose Diamond Program ($50,000), the “Diamond Program” ($75,000), and the “Elite Program” ($100,000).
Braverman has used and promoted BEAM testing for more than 25 years. In his February 1990 Total Health magazine column, he described it as “the most exciting neurobiological research tool ever developed” and that it “symbolizes God’s intervention in our world through science. . . . just one more dimension of technology that will be part of the age when Christ comes.” [14] Shortly afterward, in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, he stated:
Brain mapping can give clues in terms of treatment as well as to diagnosis of brain illnesses. Anyone with any type of serious behavioural disorder or deficit should have a brain map. In fact, brain mapping should probably be done on everyone as part of a total health check up. The brain is the most important part of the body and affects all diseases. A healthy brain is the first priority on the PATH® to wellness. . . .
Brain imbalances are a factor in virtually all diseases [15].
In a 1991 issue of Total Health News (a one-page report published by the magazine), an article about Braverman and BEAM claimed that he had successfully treated “hundreds of seemingly incurable or untreatable cases.” [16] In a 2011 Huffington Post article, Braverman said:
The BEAM is considered the stress test of the brain, and it helps us identify disease by examining the brain’s electrical chemistry. BEAM testing can help to detect Alzheimer’s and memory loss even before symptoms present. It can also uncover, diagnose, and treat the imbalances associated with depression, insomnia, and schizophrenia [17].
BEAM testing—more commonly referred to as qEEG (quantitative EEG)—is a method of analyzing the electrical activity of the brain to measure and display patterns that may correspond to diagnostic information and/or cognitive deficits. It has a few medically accepted uses (most notably in some cases of epilepsy), but Braverman’s use goes far beyond what has been proven or even suggested by mainstream researchers. In 1997, the American Academy of Neurology and the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society noted that “qEEG techiques are very predisposed to false-positive errors” and concluded that qEEG should be considered investigational for clinical use in post-concussion syndrome, mild-to-moderate head injury, learning disability, attention disorders, schizophrenia, depression, alcoholism, and drug abuse [18]. Aetna, which periodically reviews the status of qEEG, now says:
- No current guidelines from leading medical professional organizations recommend the use of qEEG as a screening test for neurological and psychiatric conditions.
- Clinical studies have demonstrated distinctive forms of brain electrical activity in a few psychiatric conditions, but the clinical significance of these distinctive patterns of brain wave activity is unknown. No published peer-reviewed studies of the use of qEEG screening for these conditions show that management is altered such that clinical outcomes are improved.
- Much of the literature focuses on the use of qEEG in the early detection of dementia. Although several markers of early dementia have been reported, there is a lack of evidence that early detection of dementia alters clinical management such that outcomes are improved, especially given the lack of robust treatments available.
- An assessment by the Swedish Office of Health Technology Assessment found insufficient evidence to support the use of qEEG in dementia. Its assessment stated that there is limited evidence that that qEEG helps the diagnostic workup differentiate Alzheimer’s disease patients from controls or from other dementia disorders [19].
Medical Board Action (1996-1997)
In July 1996, following a hearing, the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners temporarily suspended Braverman’s license and ordered him to stop seeing patients. The temporary suspension order included the following allegations:
- His diagnosis and treatment of 11 patients was so inappropriate or unsafe, evidencing gross misdiagnosis and/or mismanagement of a wide variety of patient complaints, that the health or lives of his patients are endangered.
- His charts were replete with examples of deviations from the standard of care that all practitioners owe their patients. His pattern of practice evidenced four therapeutic strategies that placed patient at risk.
- He sometimes embarked on a “poly-pharmacy” plan of treatment—instituting a combination of pharmacologic agents—wholly unrelated to symptoms or complaints presented by the patients.
- Sometimes, after extensive testing, he established multiple diagnoses and then proceeded to embark on a treatment regimen ignoring those very serious conditions.
- Sometimes he reached diagnoses that lacked any clinical support in his own record of examination and testing.
- Sometimes he initiated therapeutic approaches contraindicated by the patient’s history or symptoms.
- He repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to cast aside the patient’s best interest to advance his own investigational theories without the safety net of approved research protocols and informed consent of the participants [20].
A petition from the Pennsylvania Medical Board, which reviewed what New Jersey was doing, indicates that a consultant who had evaluated the patient charts for the New Jersey Board had concluded that in 10 of the
11 cases, Braverman had administered or ordered diagnostic testing without indication—which “represented a significant deviation from the normal practice of medicine and allowed Braverman to charge exorbitant fees to his patients.” [21]
Braverman had broadcast a weekly radio program on station WOR, sponsored by his own vitamin company. WOR canceled the program when the charges became public [22].
In May 1997, the charges were settled with a consent order under which (a) Braverman was reprimanded for inadequate record keeping and incompletely examining a patient’s wrist, (b) the remaining charges were withdrawn, (c) the suspension was lifted, and (d) Braverman agreed to pay $20,000 for costs, complete two specified continuing medical education courses, and have patients’ charts monitored by another physician for one year [23].
New York Attorney General Action (2013-2014)
In September 2013, the New York Attorney General asked the New York State Supreme Court to order PATH Medical to provide copies of various documents. The petition stated that more than 20 patients had complained to the Attorney General’s Office (OAG) office about PATH’s marketing and billing practices [24]. The judge ordered Braverman to cooperate with the investigation. I don’t know whether he did, but in January 2015, the Attorney General issued a press release that summed up the problems and announced that Braverman had agreed to modify his practices [25]. The press release stated:
As part of its focus on early detection and treatment of disease, PATH Medical conducted extensive and expensive diagnostic tests during a patient’s initial visit. Those tests include echocardiograms, costing $1,900, “brain electrical activity mapping” tests, for $2,000 collectively, multiple ultrasounds, ranging from $450 to $750, as well as psychological and cognitive assessments. PATH also sold packages of tests and services to patients that ranged in cost from $10,000 to $100,000. While the business, does not participate (i.e., is not “in-network”) in any health insurance plans, it led some consumers to believe that a significant percentage of the charges—sometimes up to 80%—would be covered by their health plans’ out-of-network benefit. However, patients’ health plans were not typically covering a significant percentage of the total charges for PATH Medical’s services. Indeed, some plans were routinely denying the claims submitted by the practice. These alleged inaccurate representations by PATH Medical resulted in some patients facing thousands of dollars in unexpected costs for a single visit. . . .
The complainants included one consumer who said she was told by PATH Medical’s billing representative that the recommended testing for her first visit would cost approximately $8,000. When she expressed concerns about the cost, she was advised that her insurance would cover 80 percent, and she would receive a 50 percent discount. Based on that, the consumer reported paying approximately $4,000, and believed a portion of that would be reimbursed by her health insurance. Her health plan ultimately denied her submitted claims and PATH then advised her she was responsible for the full $8,000.
The Attorney General’s investigation into PATH Medical revealed that the practice did not routinely provide patients with any documentation reflecting what tests and services were purchased, the charges for those tests and services, and what discounts were applied. Some patients also expressed difficulty and frustration with obtaining the results of their extensive testing, and patients sometimes incurred unexpected charges for discussing the results of that testing.
The settlement requires PATH Medical to reform its practices to ensure patients are provided with accurate information about their financial responsibility before they agree to undergo any testing or other services. . . .
Under the agreement [26], PATH Medical was required to:
- Not represent that insurance may cover the cost of the testing conducted and services provided
- Revise its consent forms to clearly explain that it does not participate in any health insurance plans, that it does not represent that patients’ claims will be reimbursed, and that it orders tests that are often not covered by health plans
- Revise its consent forms to explain the charges patients may incur for obtaining and reviewing their tests results and to indicate the process for obtaining medical records
- Provide patients with itemized invoices before payments showing what testing and services the patient agreed to purchase, the cost of those services, and any discounts provided
- Send patients monthly statements for as long as there is a balance on their account, including a balance owed to the patient due to prepayment or overpayment
- Develop a systematic process for providing patients with timely refund
- Develop a financial hardship policy to formalize the process of providing discounts based on patients’ financial inability to pay for the testing and services purchased
- Prohibit staff from using personal e-mail accounts to communicate patients’ medical information.
Other Problems
In 2015, the Better Business Bureau gave PATH Medical an “F” rating to because it had failed to respond to four complaints made in 2012 or 2013 about its financial practices [27]. Three of the complaints stated that PATH Medical had failed to refund payments made in advance for services that had been canceled or otherwise not received [28]. The RateMD site has reviews from many people who were highly dissatisfied with their experience at his office.
In 2013, Olga Gilmartin, a former patient, sued Braverman and PATH Medical on grounds that included fraudulent inducement and/or concealment; breach of contract; and unjust enrichment. The complaint alleges that she was misled and improperly pressured into spending approximately $40,000 for tests and treatments that were inappropriate and produced no benefit, and that a hormone medication for which she paid $10,000 was not received [29].
In 2014, New York comedian Ari Teman filed suit against Braverman, several associates, and PATH Medical. The complaint included allegations that the defendants (a) diagnosed and treated him for nonexistent aluminum toxicity, (b) improperly diagnosed mental conditions for which he prescribed tranquilizers with severe side effects, and (c) deliberately withheld the results of a test that showed that Teman suffered from sleep apnea [30]. In April 2023, the court dismissed the suit after concluding that ruled that Teman and his attorneys had failed to actively pursue it.
Press reports indicate that in 2011, Braverman and his third wife, Darya, began an extremely contentious battle over their divorce and custody of their three children. In 2014, a New York County Supreme Court judge awarded full custody of their children to Darya. In 2016, the court’s Appellate Division upheld the lower court decision with a ruling that concluded:
Sufficient evidence supports the court’s determination that defendant, a physician, committed medical child abuse by exaggerating the children’s symptoms and repeatedly subjecting them to unnecessary and at times invasive medical treatment. . . . The court-appointed psychiatrist, specialists in medical child abuse, and the children’s pediatrician testified that defendant relentlessly pursued diagnostic medical treatments, took the children to unnecessary specialists, and took them for appointments against the advice of and without telling the pediatrician. The court’s determination is further supported by reports from Comprehensive Family Services of his supervised visits with the children, which describe his fixation with their health, his desire to photograph their numerous purported injuries during his visits, and his desire to seek medical treatment during the visits [31].
In January 2015, the New York Post reported that (a) Braverman and his attorney Diana Moyhi were arrested for allegedly trying to steal confidential custody-case documents from a courtroom, (b) they were charged with tampering with public records and criminal contempt for disobeying a judge’s orders not to remove paperwork that was related to the custody battle, and (c) the wife is claiming that their boys are not safe with him because he has tried to improperly medicate them [32]. In December 2015, he was tried before a judge who found him guilty of attempted petty larceny (a misdemeanor) and sentenced him to 15 days in jail plus a $175 fine. In 2017, based on this case, the New York State Board for Professional Medical Conduct censured and reprimanded him. The board’s order stated that committee that held his hearing “concluded that his character was ‘far from perfect’ despite the attempts of the testimony and statements to portray otherwise. In fact, at least one character witness’ testimony mentioned some ‘poor’ or ‘impaired’ judgment.” [33].
In 2016, the New York Post reported that Braverman had been arrested again and charged with one count of felony sex abuse. The report stated that a criminal complaint had been issued after a woman had accused him of molesting her in his apartment in 2015 [34]. A follow-up report stated that he pleaded guilty to harassment and was barred from having further contact with the woman [35]. In 2017, the New York Post reported that Braverman was arrested again and charged with sexually assulting a female patient at his office [36].
In 2017, Braverman filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, listing assets of $10.7 million and $19.9 million in liabilities that include more than $950,000 to the Internal Revenue Service and $630,000 to his office landlord. The main asset is a New York City apartment owned jointly by him and Darya that he estimated was worth $7 to $8 million. His bankruptcy petition indicated that he was defending against eight lawsuits in addition to the one by Ari Teman [37]. Several of them were by law firms seeking payment for past services. The petition contained a declaration in which Braverman saidbthat his divorce proceeding with Darya had completely drained him financially, professionally, and emotionally; garnered negative publicity; and badly hurt his medical practice and standing in the medical community. Other court documents indicate that his office lease was about to expire and the landlord filed suit to evict him [38,39]. Braverman’s bankruptcy filing stayed the pending lawsuits. In July 2019, attorney Moyhi notified the court that the bankruptcy proceedings had been converted to Chapter 7 and then discharged; PATH Medical was no longer operating; and she would no longer represent Braverman because he had stopped paying her [40]..
References
- Foundation staff. PATH Foundation Web site, accessed Feb 10, 2015.
- Curriculum vitae. Eric R. Braverman, M.D. Sent to Dr. Barrett in March 2017.
- Braverman ER. Memories of Carl C. Pfeiffer, Ph.D., M.D.:
Physician, scientist, teacher and philanthropist. Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine 4(1):5-7, 1989. - Braverman ER, Pfeiffer CC. The Healing Nutrients Within: Facts Findings and New Research on Amino Acids. New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing, 1987, p 23.
- Davidovit A. Dr. Eric Braverman: to Your Health. Lifestyles Magazine, circa 2007.
- About us. SupraHealth Web site, accessed Feb 10, 2015.
- Barrett S. Clayton College of Natural Health: Be wary of the school and its graduates. Quackwatch, Jan 18, 2015.
- Have a customized healing program designed for you—FREE! SupraHealth Web site, accessed Feb 10, 2015.
- PATH Medical infomercial. Published on YouTube, Dec 19, 2014.
- Treat your brain well . . . and it will treat you to a longer and better life. PATH Medical Web site, accessed Feb 13, 2015.
- Brain quiz. PATH Medical Web site, accessed Feb 11. 2015.
- Transcript. Has award-winning actor Nick Nolte found the fountain of youth? Larry King Live, aired, Feb 16, 2000.
- The executive health program. PATH Medical Web site, accessed Feb 10, 2015.
- Braverman ER. New techniques for diagnosis. Total Health, Feb 1990, pp 15-16.
- Braverman ER. Brain mapping: A short guide to interpretation, philosophy and future. Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine 5:189-197. 1990.
- Dr. Eric Braverman covers medical/spiritual connection. Total Health News, Sept 1991.
- Braverman ER. Detecting silent diseases before they strike. Huffington Post, Nov 17, 2011.
- Nuwer, M. Assessment of digital EEG, quantitative EEG, and EEG brain mapping: Report of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society. Neurology 49:277-292, 1997.
- Quantitative EEG (brain mapping). Aetna Clinical Policy Bulletin No. 221, effective 4/6/98, revised 9/20/14.
- Order of temporary suspension. In the matter of the suspension or revocation of Eric Braverman, M.D. New Jersey Sate Board of Medical Examiners, July 17, 1996.
- Petition for immediate temporary suspension. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Bureau of Occupational and Professional Affairs vs. Eric R. Braverman, M.D. Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine, File No. 96-49-03117. July 24, 1996.
- Campbell CA. State suspends unorthodox physician’s license. Bergen County Record, July 12, 1996.
- Consent order. In the matter of the suspension or revocation of Eric Braverman, M.D. New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners, May 28, 1997.
- Affirmation of Elizabeth R. Chesler. People of the State of New York against PATH Medical P.C .and Eric Braverman, M.D. New York State Supreme Court, Index No. 451545/2013. Filed Sept 4, 2013.
- A.G. Schneiderman announces settlement with Manhattan doctor’s office for alleged deceptive business practices: Settlement agreement requires PATH Medical to accurately inform patients about out-of-pocket costs and insurance coverage for medical tests and services. New York Attorney General press release, Dec 13, 2014.
- Assurance of discontinuance under Executive Law Section 63, Subdivision 63. In the matter of PATH Medical, P.C. Attorney General of New York Health Care Bureau Assurance No. 14-222.
- PATH Medical. Better Business Bureau Web site, accessed Feb 5, 2015.
- Complaints about PATH Medical. Better Business Web site, accessed Feb 8, 2015.
- Verified complaint. Olga Gilmartin against Eric Braverman and PATH Medical, P.C. New York State Supreme Court Index No. 161809/2013. Filed Nov 21, 2014.
- Complaint. Ari Teman vs. Eric Braverman, M.D.; Richard Smayda, D.O.; Sandip Buch, M.D.; Aunipa Reddy, M.D.; PATH Medical, P.C.; Darya Braverman; and Total Health Nutrients. New York State Supreme Court, Index No. 805410/2014. Filed Nov 7, 2014. In May 2016, the Court concluded that Reddy had not been properly served with the complaint and dismissed her as a defendant.
- Decision. Darya Braverman v. Eric Braverman. Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, Case Index No. 306221/11, June 20, 2016.
- March J, Conley K. Doctor accused of stealing court documents in custody fight. New York Post, Jan 30, 2015.
- Determination and order. In the matter of Eric Braverman, M.D. New York State Board for Professional Medical Conduct, Dec 18, 2017.
- Rosenberg R. Doctor embroiled in contentious divorce busted for sex abuse. New York Post April 4, 2016.
- Rosenberg R. Doctor accused of attacking woman avoids jail time. New York Post, Sept 22, 2016.
- Cohen S, Massarella L. Park Avenue neurosurgeon arrested for sexually assaulting patient. New York Post, Nov 7, 2017.
- Braverman E. Voluntary petition for bankruptcy. U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern Division of New York, Manhattan Division. Case No. 17-10524-smb, filed 3/6/17.
- Complaint. 304 Pas Owner, LLC against Eric R. Braverman. Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York. Index No. 0656638/2016, filed Dec 20, 2016.
- Application to stop automatic stay of landlord’s action against Life Extension Realty. In re: Eric Braverman, debtor. U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern Divisiion of New York, Manhattan Division. Case No. 17-10524-smb, filed 3/20/17.
- Moyhi D. Affirmation in support. Olga Gilmartin against Eric Braverman and PATH Medical, P.C. New York State Supreme Court Index No. 161809/2013., filed July 18, 2019.
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FAQs
What is quackery in health? ›
Health fraud, or quackery, is a practice that sells false hope. It preys on persons who are suffering from diseases that may have no complete medical cures, such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and certain forms of cancer.
What is an example of quackery? ›If a person fakes being a medical doctor, that's quackery. You can also call it quackery when a company sells an herb or supplement or diet aid that doesn't actually do anything.
What were the treatments for quackery? ›Some remedies contained substances such as opium, alcohol and honey, which would have given symptomatic relief but had no curative properties. Some would have addictive qualities to entice the buyer to return. The few effective remedies sold by quacks included emetics, laxatives and diuretics.
How reliable is Quackwatch? ›The American Cancer Society lists Quackwatch as one of ten reputable sources of information about alternative and complementary therapies in their book Cancer Medicine. In a long series of articles on various alternative medicine methods, it uses Quackwatch as a reference and includes criticisms of the methods.
What are the 3 most common types of quackery? ›Quacks may be placed in three different categories: charlatans, cranks, or health hucksters based upon whether they are immoral, misguided, or amoral.
What are the three most common quackery? ›- Miracle Cures. Miracle cure scams cover a whole range of products and services which can appear to be legitimate alternative medicine. ...
- Weight Loss. These scams promise weight loss for little or no effort. ...
- Fake Online Pharmacies. ...
- Free Trial Offers. ...
- Here are some tips regarding possible medical quakery:
Possible Dangers of Quackery to a person's physical well-being: Use of unknown medicines. Keeping him/her from using proper treatment. Danger in a person's Psychological well-being: * Refuses help from professionals.
Why do they call bad doctors quacks? ›The term quack originates from quacksalver, or kwakzalver, a Dutch word for a seller of nostrums, medical cures of dubious and secretive origins. (Nostrums were the over-the-counter medications of the early modern world, available without a doctor's prescription and taken at one's own risk.)
What is quackery a brief history of the worst ways to cure everything about? ›A humorous book that delves into some of the wacky but true ways that humans have looked to cure their ills. Leeches, mercury, strychnine, and lobotomies are a few of the topics that explore the lengths society has gone in the search for health.
What is a synonym for quack medicine? ›nostrum. nouncure-all, often ineffective. catholicon. cure. drug.
What is the most credible medical source? ›
The National Institutes of Health website is a good place to start for reliable health information. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website is another one. As a rule, health websites sponsored by federal government agencies are accurate sources of information.
Are online doctors legit? ›Receiving diagnoses, medical advice, and prescriptions through online doctors is an increasingly popular option for patients seeking the convenience of an internet service; however, there are risks involved with online medicine. Not all doctors are reputable or scrupulous and illegitimate services are prevalent.
How do you know if a doctor is credible? ›Go to the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) website to check the basics with their DocInfo.org search function. You will find the doctor's board certifications, education, states with active licenses, and any actions against the physician.
Who are the four most vulnerable consumers of quackery? ›Persons living with AIDS, arthritis, some cancers, and Alzheimer's often fall prey to quacks because they want to believe that something will help their condition.
Who are the most vulnerable consumers for quackery? ›Each year, approximately 25 million adults are victims of consumer fraud. Victims include the poor, the elderly, and other vulnerable populations.
What is a psychological quackery? ›an unqualified person who makes false claims about, or misrepresents his or her ability or credentials in, medical, mental, or behavioral diagnosis and treatment.
What are the 4 types of medical drugs? ›- Liquid. The active part of the medicine is combined with a liquid to make it easier to take or better absorbed. ...
- Tablet. The active ingredient is combined with another substance and pressed into a round or oval solid shape. ...
- Capsules. ...
- Topical medicines. ...
- Suppositories. ...
- Drops. ...
- Inhalers. ...
- Injections.
quackery, the characteristic practice of quacks or charlatans, who pretend to knowledge and skill that they do not possess, particularly in medicine. The quack makes exaggerated claims about his or her ability to heal disease, generally for financial gain.
How can I protect my family and yourself from quackery? ›- Do not trust your health to a salesperson, ad or TV infomercial. ...
- Do not believe claims that a “secret” or “miracle drug” will work wonders on a wide variety of ailments.
- Do not buy medical devices, bracelets or other products without first consulting your doctor or other appropriate health professional.
Other forms: quacks; quacking; quacked; quacker. There are good quacks and bad quacks. A good quack is the sound a duck makes. A bad quack is someone pretending to be a doctor.
What are the harmful effects of quack and quackery? ›
Quack doctors use more than one medicine for an illness which can be cured by one types of medicine. They do not have proper skill and feel that at least one medicine might cure diseases. Patients have to buy not only costly medicines but have to face various serious diseases and problems.
What are some red flags that signal poor nutrition advice? ›- Promises of a too-specific outcome.
- Requires a drastic cut in caloric intake.
- Makes you feel bad or shameful about what you normally eat.
- Promises quick weight loss.
- Touts claims of a “scientific breakthrough."
- Includes food products that you have to purchase.
a low body weight – people with a body mass index (BMI) under 18.5 are at risk of being malnourished (use the BMI calculator to work out your BMI) a lack of interest in eating and drinking. feeling tired all the time. feeling weak.
What is nutritional neglect? ›Nutritional neglect—when a child is undernourished or is repeatedly hungry for long periods of time, which can sometimes be evidenced by poor growth. Nutritional neglect often is included in the category of “other physical neglect.”
Who was the most famous quack doctor? ›- James Morisons.
- Clark Stanley.
- Daniel D. Palmer.
- William J. Bailey.
- John R. Brinkley.
(idiomatic) It is difficult to advise people on subjects that they are experts on.
Why is it disrespectful to call a doctor by their first name? ›Using a first name can violate the boundary between doctor and patient. “Doctors might find it is undermining their authority,” Dr. Roter said. “There's a familiarity that first names gives people.”
When did quackery start? ›They seem to have first emerged in Europe during the Middle Ages with the popularity of the performance reaching its height during the Renaissance.
What was medical quackery in the 1800s? ›For the most part, quack medicines didn't harm or hurt. They were simply placeboes, and if people felt "cured," it may have been psychosomatic. Still, they would be paying money, sometimes quite a bit, for medicine that did nothing. Other times, quack medicine was based on a shred of medical science, but not a lot.
What is quackery GCSE history? ›What was quack medicine? Quack medicines made wild claims about their ability to prevent or cure illness and disease although they did not work. At best they were harmless, at worst they could be deadly.
What is the opposite of quack? ›
real | actual |
---|---|
certified | legit |
living | proper |
regular | sincere |
authentic | existing |
It's a panacea, a remedy that falsely claims to solve every problem ever.
What is quack in legal? ›If a person practices in any other system of medicine of which he does not possesses recognized qualification / knowledge, then that person would be considered as a quack i.e. a mere pretender to medical knowledge or skill, or a charlatan.
Can you trust Mayo Clinic? ›Mayo Clinic is consistently ranked in the U.S. News & World Report rankings of top hospitals.
What is the most reliable evidence based medical research? ›There are many types of primary study designs, but for each type of health question there is one that provides more reliable information. For treatment decisions, there is consensus that the most reliable primary study is the randomized controlled trial (RCT).
Which medical publications do doctors read most? ›Peer-reviewed medical journals like the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) are suited for physicians who want to publish new studies and articles that inform physicians, researchers, policy makers, librarians and the media on medical and healthcare issues.
Can K health prescribe Xanax? ›We do not prescribe controlled substances including: Weight loss medications such as phentermine. Stimulants for shift work disorder, such as Provigil. Anti-anxiety or sedative medications, such as Xanax (Alprazolam), Ambien (Zolpidem), Lunesta (Eszopiclone), and Ativan (Lorazepam)
Can you get antibiotics from an online doctor? ›You can rest assured that Telehealth Options doctors can prescribe antibiotics. In fact, new users are delighted to learn that online doctors prescribe antibiotics at the same rate as an in-person doctor's office.
Can virtual doctors write prescriptions? ›Can a virtual doctor prescribe medicine? Yes. If your physician is qualified to give a diagnosis and prescription in person, they can prescribe medicine online.
How do you know if a doctor misdiagnosed you? ›Signs that your doctor may have misdiagnosed you may include: If your doctor does not give you enough time to discuss your health or does not run tests. If your condition does not improve after receiving treatment. If you have an ailment that shares symptoms with other illnesses.
What is a common misdiagnosis for physicians? ›
Cancer is the most common misdiagnosis in the medical field. It is considered one of the "Big 3" diagnostic errors, together with infections and vascular events. Breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer are some of the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions.
Why do some doctors have no reviews? ›It may well have nothing to do with actual patient treatment.” Another reason there are so few reviews are that people do not want to offend their doctor. They are worried that if their physician reads a poor review from a patient, they may provide inferior care to the patient.
What is the best definition of quackery? ›quackery, the characteristic practice of quacks or charlatans, who pretend to knowledge and skill that they do not possess, particularly in medicine. The quack makes exaggerated claims about his or her ability to heal disease, generally for financial gain. quackery. Related Topics: medicine fraud.
How can you best identify quackery in a health? ›- Products that claim to provide relief or cures for a number of different conditions.
- Special, ancient, or "secret" formulas, sometimes only available from one company.
- Promises of quick and easy weight loss without diet or exercise.
On this page you'll find 22 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to quackery, such as: deceitfulness, deception, dishonesty, imposture, misrepresentation, and pretense.
Where is medical quackery from? ›Medical quackery in the United States dates to the earliest days of the colonies when medical practice was broadly defined and poorly regulated. In 1775, of the more thana 3000 individuals who claimed the title of "doctor," fewer than 400 had formal training and certification from university medical schools.
Why are fake doctors called quacks? ›The term quack originates from quacksalver, or kwakzalver, a Dutch word for a seller of nostrums, medical cures of dubious and secretive origins. (Nostrums were the over-the-counter medications of the early modern world, available without a doctor's prescription and taken at one's own risk.)
What is the opposite of quackery? ›fairness | honesty |
---|---|
justice | reality |
Possible Dangers of Quackery to a person's physical well-being: Use of unknown medicines. Keeping him/her from using proper treatment. Danger in a person's Psychological well-being: * Refuses help from professionals.
Which of these is the best source of information about health product? ›Multiple Choice: Which of these is the best source of information about a health product? Scientific Research.
What is slang for quacks? ›
- charlatan.
- fake.
- fraud.
- humbug (old-fashioned)
- impostor.
- mountebank.
- phony (informal)
- pretender.
bum, dissembling, fake, phony, pretended, pseudo, sham, simulated, actor, charlatan, cheat, counterfeit, counterfeiter, four-flusher, fraud, humbug, impostor, mountebank, playactor, pretender.
Where is medicine made from? ›These days, medicines come from a variety of sources. Many were developed from substances found in nature, and even today many are extracted from plants. Some medicines are made in labs by mixing together a number of chemicals. Others, like penicillin, are byproducts of organisms such as fungus.
Where did doctors originate? ›Historically speaking, the title doctor was invented in the Middle Ages to describe eminent scholars. These doctorates date back to the 1300s. Such people were accorded a lot of respect and prestige. The PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy, is the highest graduate degree awarded by our universities.