Ask your doctor about misinformation: Most say it 'does actual harm,' poll finds

Almost three-quarters of doctors say misinformation made it harder to treat patients for COVID-19 and made patient outcomes worse, according to a new poll.

Nearly as many flagged a problematic misinformation about weight loss, supplements, mental health and other vaccines.

"Misinformation isn't a point of view, it does actual harm," said Brian Castrucci, president of the de Beaumont Foundation, the public health philanthropy that commissioned the poll. "It's hurting physicians. It's hurting medical practice. And it's hurting the American public."

The poll was conducted by Morning Consult from Dec. 9 to 19, 2022. More than 800 doctors from a range of specialties were included and the survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3%. Another 2,200 U.S. adults were polled online with a margin of error of plus or minus 2%.

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"There is debate, but then there's also weaponization of information to the detriment of the American public and that's what we have now," Castrucci said.

Key study findings

• Doctors worry trust has declined: Nearly 70% of doctors polled said they think patient trust declined over the last two years, but only 21% of Americans said the same.

• Most doctors agree on COVID vaccines: 90% of the doctors agreed that COVID vaccines are safe and effective.

• Real world consequences for misinformation: During the height of the pandemic, some people with autoimmune disease couldn't get their prescription hydroxychloroquine because so many others were misled to believe it could help fight COVID, Castrucci said.

Many doctors want disciplinary action for peers who spread misinformation

Some misinformation comes into the doctor's office from patients. In the poll, 44% of doctors said more than half of the COVID information they get from patients is inaccurate.

But doctors also create and promote misinformation. Half of doctors say misinformation spread by their peers is a problem.

A minority of physicians have touted hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin to fight COVID-19 — even though the scientific vetting process has shown they don't work against the virus.

The has a "vested interest in assuring that physicians are operating within appropriate parameters," he said.

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More than three-quarters of doctors in the poll said they support disciplinary action from their peers against physicians who intentionally spread false information. Medical boards in each state have the power to sanction licensed physicians.

"These findings support disciplinary action for physicians who support misinformation," Castrucci said. "This is not to say that we can't have debate, but you can't just make up science."

Misinformation goes well beyond COVID

While the poll was focused on COVID, Castrucci said "this really should be a societal reckoning around predatory medical practices that are taking advantage of the American public."

Most doctors and the public get their information online, but they look for somewhat different sources. The vast majority of doctors said they trust medical or scientific journals, internet searches, and colleagues, while other adults mainly put their faith in internet searches.

Castrucci has type 2 diabetes and said he often sees ads on social media for "Diabetes Cures!" even though there isn't one.

Social media has made it much easier to sell snake oil "not from town to town but to millions with one click," he said.

Contact Karen Weintraub at [email protected].

Health and patient safety coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Masimo Foundation for Ethics, Innovation and Competition in Healthcare. The Masimo Foundation does not provide editorial input.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Misinformation is bad for your health, doctors say in new poll