Combating misinformation and disinformation: Role of the nurse

Combating misinformation and disinformation involves efforts to identify, challenge, and correct misleading or false information, especially when it can harm the understanding of health or safety.

Let's talk about information in the context of healthcare. In this case, information refers to accurate, evidence-based data used to make informed decisions to ensure high-quality patient care.

Misinformation is inaccurate and misleading information.

Misinformation is spread without the intent to deceive – basically, it’s getting the facts wrong.

On the other hand, disinformation involves deliberately misstating the facts by spreading false information.

Disinformation is spread with the intent to deceive, manipulate, or cause harm; typically for financial, personal, or political gain.

As the nurse, you'll help patients combat misinformation and disinformation while guiding them to accurate sources to support informed healthcare decisions.

Okay, so, both misinformation and disinformation can impact patient well-being and safety while undermining trust in clinicians, such as nurses, pharmacists, and physicians.

When inaccurate health information leads to uninformed patient decision making, improper treatment, delays in care, or avoidance of necessary medical interventions, patient well-being and safety are at risk.

For example, misinformation about vaccines and their proposed link to autism can contribute to vaccine hesitancy, leading to lower vaccination rates, and higher susceptibility to preventable diseases.

Similarly, disinformation about dietary supplements that haven’t been approved for medical use can promote the use of quick fixes, and fear of medical-grade treatments.

This can cause delays in seeking medical advice, reliance on unregulated products, and harmful side effects.

Additionally, misinformation and disinformation can undermine trust in clinicians by distorting perceptions, obstructing clear communication, and straining the clinician-patient relationship.

Patients exposed to erroneous health information might arrive at medical appointments with incorrect beliefs about diagnoses, treatments, and overall care. This can lead to unrealistic expectations, resistance to evidence-based care, and healthcare decisions that negatively impact their health.

Misinformation and disinformation have been circulating for a long time and are spread by a variety of sources.

Historically, word of mouth, advertising, and media outlets have been prominent sources.

For example, word of mouth misinformation can include folklore like “feed a cold, starve a fever” that encourages restricting food and fluids during a fever, which can lead to negative health outcomes like dehydration, weakness, and a prolonged recovery.

Other sources of misinformation and disinformation are ad platforms that can promote misleading health-related content that’s sensational or controversial to promote engagement, as well as news outlets that prioritize emotionally charged or controversial stories over accuracy to attract viewers.

While these sources remain prominent, the internet, specifically social media platforms have become a major source of misinformation and disinformation.

These platforms can rapidly and widely distribute information while amplifying it thanks to algorithms designed to prioritize content that’s engaging or controversial.

Social media platforms also allow non-experts, like influencers or companies with commercial interests, to share health advice without oversight.

As the nurse, you'll help your patients to combat misinformation and disinformation by providing education on how to identify credible and reliable sources and advocating for the promotion of credible and reliable sources of information at the community level.

Begin by explaining that credible sources are those that are trustworthy and believable due to their expertise and reputation, which can include academic institutions, peer-reviewed journals, non-profit organizations, and governmental agencies.