The Ultimate Guide to Combating Patient Misinformation

As clinicians deal with the global health crisis that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought, we must also grapple with another pandemic: misinformation in healthcare. Strongly held opinions and falsehoods surrounding standards of care, health policy, and public health are increasing, both in their extremes and in their reach. Political divides spill over into healthcare through the wide reach of celebrities and influencers, and the results can prove harmful or even deadly.

Establishing credibility is more important now than ever before. Below are some steps to help build a strong patient-clinician relationship to establish and maintain trust.

1. Build upon a good patient care track record.

Delve deeper to see who shared that information and where and determine whether it is being shared as opinion or fact.

2. Share your knowledge and sources with patients.

• In the past, patients obtained their information from handouts and written or published media sources. Now there are many other outlets to share information, including false experts or unqualified individuals exploiting their personal opinions. Find out how your patient demographic is obtaining their information or misinformation. For example, if a large portion of your patient population is on social media, consider posting key messages through popular channels where they are more likely to be seen.
• Citing and sourcing the information you share is important as well. Model the use of reputable peer-reviewed sources and establish credibility as a subject matter expert.

3. Keep your private life private.

If you use social media, I recommend keeping separate personal and professional accounts. One of the most surefire ways to ruin your credibility is to create division over emotionally heated subjects. Your personal beliefs, opinions, and political associations can alienate your patients. Rules of professionalism and respect apply to social media; avoid using slang, expletives, or any nonprofessional language.

4. Be aware of common falsehoods.

• Pay attention to family members, acquaintances, and popular social media threads, or ask your patients of their perception of certain medical opinions and topics.
• Delve deeper to see who shared that information and where and determine whether it is being shared as opinion or fact.

5. Identify and address your patients’ fears and concerns.

Listen to your patients to pick up on any false notions and pull out any slanted truths. Although patients may hear some facts or truths, the level of evidence may be distorted or overemphasized. Also identify any underlying patient fears or concerns. Be respectful but also provide and support scientifically proven and well-held notions. Anticipate and provide your patients with the information they need to make informed decisions.

6. Be ready to provide your patients with unbiased, reputable information.

By learning the common misconceptions, you can prepare to replace them with correct information. Position statements are helpful, when available. For example, a pediatrician may consider having copies of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ position statement and a few of the large studies showing there is no demonstrable link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

7. Be honest with and educate your patients.

Patients respect when their clinicians can honestly explain when quality of evidence from information is strong, weak, or variable. It can also be helpful to teach your patients about disease pathology and where evidence fits into the disease pathology. Also, reviewing risks as well as benefits is helpful in establishing trust.

8. Show your patients that you care.

As a physician, you dutifully care for the patient’s wellbeing. If your patient is holding on to potentially harmful notions due to misinformation, explain your concerns and the potential impact to their health. Ask them if there is any other information you can provide to help them in their medical decision-making.

In closing, it is important for physicians to be sensitive yet proactive against the misinformation targeting patients. By identifying and removing biases and by establishing a good patient relationship, these barriers can be overcome.