Canadian Doctors Battle Online Health Misinformation, Disconnected Medical Systems

Nearly all Canadian physicians have had to intervene to prevent harm after patients accessed false or misleading health information online, according to a concerning new survey released by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and research firm Abacus Data.

The survey, which polled 645 practicing physicians in April, found that 97 percent of doctors faced challenges stemming from patients following incorrect health advice found online, including information generated by artificial intelligence tools.

“When individuals do not have access to appropriate health care professionals in a timely way and have a question or concern, then they are going online for that information,” explained CMA president Margot Burnell.

While reputable sources of health information exist online, such as the Public Health Agency of Canada website, Dr. Burnell highlighted the prevalence of false health information as “very concerning.”

“As the study showed, physicians and health care teams really have to intervene and deal with what the patient has accessed, whether they think they have a particular diagnosis or they’ve tried a medication or treatment protocol from online,” she said, adding that patients may suffer misdiagnoses or treatment side effects from following unreliable advice.

This latest research confirms findings from the CMA’s annual Health and Media Tracking Survey earlier this year, which revealed that individuals who followed health advice generated by AI were five times more likely to experience harm than those who did not.

The problem of online misinformation comes alongside another critical healthcare challenge highlighted in the survey: disconnected medical records systems. An overwhelming 99 percent of physician respondents reported that non-integrated health systems prevent them from easily sharing patient records, test results, or clinical notes across different points of care.

Nearly half of surveyed doctors witnessed patients experience serious adverse health consequences—including disease progression or missed diagnoses—because of these system disconnects.

Canada’s fragmented medical records infrastructure has long been problematic. Healthcare providers often cannot share records that are dispersed across hospitals, doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and other care facilities. Some facilities still rely on paper records and fax machines, creating significant barriers to coordinated patient care.

Dr. Burnell expressed support for Bill S-5, legislation currently before Parliament aimed at improving information flow between healthcare providers and patients. She called the bill “long overdue,” noting it replaces similar legislation that died when Parliament was prorogued in January.

Against this backdrop of healthcare challenges, the CMA and provincial and territorial medical associations plan to meet with parliamentarians on Parliament Hill this Tuesday. Their discussions will focus on several pressing issues, including Indigenous-led approaches to closing health gaps, streamlining the process for internationally trained physicians to practice in Canada, combating health misinformation, and reducing administrative burdens through digital tools.

With the federal government’s spring economic update expected next week, healthcare advocates are pushing for increased attention to the sector. Dr. Burnell noted that last November’s federal budget was not healthcare-focused, despite the pressing needs.

“We’re hoping that there will be increased funding and that it will certainly recognize health care as a top priority for this current government,” she said, emphasizing that healthcare spending should be viewed as an investment that generates employment and economic benefits.

As Canada continues to grapple with these interconnected healthcare challenges, medical professionals are calling for a coordinated approach that addresses both the spread of misinformation and the structural issues preventing efficient, integrated healthcare delivery across the country.