Fake News… In Medicine?

Medical misinformation

Fake news has become a commonly used term in our society. Most of us realize there is always information available to us that isn’t true. This could be via print media, television, on-line, and even word of mouth. While I am now accustomed to hearing about fake news, I have rarely heard of a similar phenomenon known as medical misinformation. Yes, I know people read things, or hear things regarding their health or that of a loved one and sometimes believe what they are reading or hearing, even if it goes against common sense. Sometimes people are even told by their medical provider that the information they hear and believe is simply false, and has no scientific backing. A growing body of evidence is showing that medical misinformation has far reaching, and even potentially dangerous outcomes.

Examples of medical misinformation

One example of medical misinformation now becoming more and more prevalent is around immunizations for children. I’ve never met a physician that says not to vaccinate children. This would only happen if there are specific medical circumstances for which a physician would recommend against vaccinations. In June of this year the AMA even adopted a policy during its annual meeting to expand its existing policy to actively advocate for legislation, regulations, programs and policies that incentivize states to eliminate non-medical exemptions from mandated pediatric immunizations.  In an NPR interview this past April Dr. Joseph Kaplovitz, a pediatrician from New York City, said “some of the misinformation is that it causes autism, that the vaccines contain mercury, that the disease itself will actually protect them from cancer, that the disease itself will protect them from eczema”. According to a Vox article, there have also been some very dangerous recommendations by some who oppose vaccinations. These include such things as turpentine, urine, and industrial bleach as cures for autism.  Due to false information such as this, we have recently had the largest outbreak of measles in the United States in over 25 years.

Another example of medical misinformation that physicians may hear from their patients is around medications for high cholesterol, commonly called statins. We know that cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of men and women in America. High cholesterol can be a contributing factor. The American Heart Association reported in January of this year that, according to some cardiologists, patients refuse to take statins due to what they may have heard on the television, on the internet, or from a friend. Other physicians report that some patients think they are just prescribing medication for personal financial gain. While there is some evidence this may be true, it is not the norm. However, one must ask the question about whether these studies are scientific, if they have been peer reviewed, published in a reputable medical journal, and vetted by a reputable source like the American Medical Association (AMA). The AMA has a code of ethics for physicians with the first principle reading “a physician shall be dedicated to providing competent medical care, with compassion and respect for human dignity and rights”.

The role of social media

Social media is a very strong influencer in our society and throughout the world. Some argue that medical misinformation on the internet is becoming a public health concern. There are over 2 billion people that use Facebook. According to the Wall Street Journal, Facebook and YouTube are being flooded with scientifically dubious and potentially harmful information about alternative cancer treatments, which sometimes gets viewed millions of times. Facebook has very recently indicated it will try to moderate posts to minimize low quality health content”. While not a cure all for this growing problem, perhaps it is a start.

The bottom line is to be skeptical if you read something that simply sounds incorrect, and check with your medical provider before you take action that could potentially be harmful to you or a loved one.  As an employer, it’s crucial to ensure you are communicating correct medical information to your employees, and to provide them with reliable sources to get medical information.