Objectives: Explain what can be the role of each doctor to debunk misinformation.
Introduction: Fake news is a type of propaganda that consists of deliberate disinformation or hoaxes spread via traditional print and broadcast news media or online social media. Although Fake news makes headlines today, it is actually nothing new and has been present for centuries.
Materials / method: PubMed, web and social media searches using key words specific to the topic of this lecture.
Results: Fake news has received fresh political attention since the last US presidential election, but all domains are subject to it. Healthcare is far from exempt and the situation today has even been referred to as “The Fake News Epidemic in Health”. On one hand it’s never been easier to get health information; on the other it’s never been so misleading. In this lecture, after reviewing the current threats and contributing factors, we will discuss countermeasures.
Conclusion: Doctors have decades of experience fighting Fake news. Doctors’ engagement is needed (see lecture 77867). Evidence-based medicine and the Peer Review process are tools that help to debunk misinformation, but nowadays evidence alone is not enough. Efforts need to be part of a holistic movement.
Declaraciones
¿Ha recibido algún tipo de financiamiento para realizar su investigación sobre esta temática?
No
¿Ha recibido algún pago, honorario u otra compensación por su trabajo acerca de esta investigación?
No
¿Tiene vínculos financieros con alguna entidad que podría llegar a competir estrechamente con los medicamentos, materiales o instrumentos tratados en su investigación?
No
¿Posee o ha solicitado una patente relacionada a los materiales, productos o instrumentos utilizados en su investigación?
No
Este trabajo no cuenta con el apoyo de ningún financiamiento directo o indirecto. El autor asume plena responsabilidad sobre el mismo.