Physicians’ Role in Combating Disinformation Critical, Says Chief Healthcare Executive

A growing chorus of healthcare professionals is calling for greater involvement from doctors in the battle against medical disinformation, citing threats to public health and the erosion of trust in healthcare institutions.

The proliferation of false health claims on social media platforms has accelerated dramatically in recent years, with the COVID-19 pandemic serving as a flashpoint for conspiracy theories, unproven treatments, and anti-vaccine messaging. Medical experts warn that this trend has real-world consequences, from vaccine hesitancy to patients delaying essential care due to unfounded fears.

Dr. Monica Sathyamurthy, an infectious disease specialist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, has observed this phenomenon firsthand. “We’re seeing patients come in with serious complications because they followed advice from social media rather than medical professionals,” she explains. “By the time they reach us, their conditions have often worsened significantly.”

Healthcare systems across the country report growing concern about the impact of health misinformation. A recent survey by the American Medical Association found that 86% of physicians have encountered patients who questioned treatment recommendations based on information found online, with over half reporting that these interactions negatively affected patient outcomes.

Medical ethicists point to a professional responsibility that extends beyond individual patient care. “Physicians have always had a duty to advocate for public health,” says Dr. James Hartfield, professor of medical ethics at Columbia University. “In the digital age, that increasingly means engaging with misinformation where it spreads—online.”

Some healthcare organizations have launched initiatives to counter false health claims. Mayo Clinic recently established a digital health literacy program that trains clinicians to identify and respond to common medical myths. The program includes resources for patient education and social media response strategies.

Similarly, the Federation of State Medical Boards has updated its guidance to encourage physicians to play a more active role in public health communication, noting that “silence in the face of harmful health misinformation may be interpreted as tacit endorsement.”

The challenge extends beyond individual practitioners to healthcare institutions as a whole. Hospital systems like Cleveland Clinic and Kaiser Permanente have expanded their digital communications teams, creating rapid response protocols for addressing viral health misinformation that impacts their patient populations.

“We can’t simply dismiss these concerns or tell patients to ignore what they see online,” notes Dr. Vanessa Washington, chief medical information officer at University Hospitals. “We need to meet patients where they are, acknowledge their concerns, and provide evidence-based information in accessible ways.”

Healthcare professionals are increasingly using the same digital platforms that spread misinformation to combat it. Dr. Zubin Damania, known online as “ZDoggMD,” has built a following of millions by addressing health myths through engaging videos. “Doctors need to reclaim our voice in the public sphere,” he argues. “If we don’t fill that space with accurate information, others will fill it with falsehoods.”

However, physicians engaging in this work face significant challenges. Many report harassment when they speak out against popular but unfounded health claims. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine documented that healthcare professionals who publicly corrected COVID-19 misinformation were subject to coordinated harassment campaigns, doxxing, and threats to their license.

Despite these obstacles, medical organizations emphasize that countering health misinformation is increasingly vital to the physician’s role. The American College of Physicians recently updated its ethics manual to specifically address physicians’ responsibilities regarding health information in digital spaces.

“This isn’t about politics or censorship,” clarifies Dr. Rachel Levine, assistant secretary for health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “It’s about ensuring that people have access to reliable information to make decisions about their health.”

As the information landscape continues to evolve, medical professionals are calling for systematic approaches that extend beyond individual efforts. This includes media literacy education in medical schools, institutional support for physicians who engage in public health communication, and partnerships with technology companies to limit the spread of dangerous health claims.

“The days when doctors could focus solely on the patients in their exam rooms are behind us,” concludes Dr. Hartfield. “In an interconnected world, protecting public health means engaging with misinformation wherever it threatens patient wellbeing.”