Below is an extract of a new article on the de Baeumont website. Read online: https://debeaumont.org/news/2023/physician-poll-medical-misinformation-i...
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Physician Poll: Medical Misinformation is Harming Patients
March 29, 2023
In a new poll, nearly three in four [US] physicians said medical misinformation has hindered their ability to treat COVID-19 patients and has harmed patient outcomes. The poll, conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the de Beaumont Foundation, reveals that physicians and the American public agree that misinformation is a problem and that doctors should be held accountable for intentionally spreading false information. Key findings:
72% of physicians said misinformation has made it harder to treat patients for COVID-19, and the same percentage said it has negatively impacted patient outcomes.
44% of physicians estimate that more than half the COVID-19 information they see, read, and hear from patients is misinformation.
Physicians agree: COVID vaccines are safe (92%) and effective (91%). [*see note below]
In addition to misinformation about COVID-19, more than two-thirds of physicians said misinformation is also a problem in the areas of weight loss, dietary supplements, mental health, and other vaccines.
Most physicians support disciplinary action for physicians who intentionally spread false information.
Download the research brief.
https://debeaumont.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/misinformation-poll-br...
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[*Note from HIFA moderator (NPW): "Physicians agree" but isn't it worrying that nine in 10 physicians believe that COVID vaccines are safe and/or effective, suggesting that perhaps one in ten do not believe this? Further, that only 65% of the general public believe they are safe and/or effective?]
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org
