Medical misinformation: A primer and recommendations for pharmacists

Abstract

Medical misinformation is more pervasive today because of widespread and near instantaneous dissemination of information via the internet and social media platforms. Consequences of medical misinformation may include decreased uptake of needed health care resources, delays in seeking care, vaccine hesitancy, medication non‐compliance, increased disease outbreaks and/or burden, and increased hospitalization and mortality. It disproportionately impacts underserved populations, including Black patients, those who identify as LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and more), and patients with reduced health literacy skills or who are digitally disadvantaged. Medical misinformation challenges health care professionals not only to provide the best care possible, but to assist patients in finding accurate information. Preprint publications, although potentially beneficial in rapidly disseminating new scientific discoveries, often have not undergone peer review and may contribute to the widespread propagation of inaccurate or overstated results, thereby perpetuating the spread of medical misinformation when it exists. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic highlighted the importance of practicing evidence‐based medicine and the need for cautious review of preprint publications and articles from predatory publishers in addition to usual and customary literature evaluation techniques. Everyone plays a role in preventing the spread of medical misinformation, with pharmacists uniquely positioned as trusted and highly accessible professionals who may help combat its spread. The goal of this article is to define medical misinformation and related terms, outline mechanisms by which it is spread, describe its clinical impact, highlight how it disproportionately impacts underserved populations, provide actionable strategies to prevent its spread, and give examples of practical tactics to help identify, correct, and alert individuals about the possible presence of medical misinformation.

Medical misinformation: The power of influence

“…In the primer published in this edition of Journal of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, Goldwire et al provide some relevant history on the topic of medical misinformation, identify risk factors for misinformation amplification, and provide structured recommendations for preventing and correcting its spread. 3 These recommendations include several educational-based interventions, including developing and/or using frameworks to evaluate the quality and accuracy of medical information sources. In addition, providing education to other healthcare professionals on current topics susceptible to medical misinformation including strategies for how to identify, correct, and educate patients on handling this type of information was recommended as well.…”

“…In the primer published in this edition of Journal of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy , Goldwire et al provide some relevant history on the topic of medical misinformation, identify risk factors for misinformation amplification, and provide structured recommendations for preventing and correcting its spread 3 . These recommendations include several educational‐based interventions, including developing and/or using frameworks to evaluate the quality and accuracy of medical information sources.…”

“…In their paper, Goldwire et al mentioned helpful ways to empower patients to identify false information and utilize frameworks available within social media platforms (e.g., disliking, reporting, or flagging, etc.) to correct and/or remove potentially harmful information 3 . Although training patients on how to identify accurate information online is certainly one way to help ensure that quality sources are used to make decisions, this method may not reach all users, so complementary strategies should also be used.…”

“…to correct and/or remove potentially harmful information. 3 Although training patients on how to identify accurate information online is certainly one way to help ensure that quality sources are used to make decisions, this method may not reach all users, so complementary strategies should also be used. It is much easier and takes less time to turn to a trusted source for information, thus highlighting the need for pharmacists to simultaneously invest in developing a trusted online presence for patients to rely on.…”

“…In addition to education, Goldwire et al highlight the value of strong editorial processes and rigorous, high‐quality peer review in helping to mitigate the propagation of erroneous or flawed literature 3 . This combined with a commitment to well‐designed research centered around clinically relevant questions will help increase the quality and subsequent usefulness of medical literature being published.…”