Inlightened, a tech-driven platform connecting innovative companies with vetted healthcare professionals, has released findings from a recent survey examining how experts perceive the influence of online misinformation. The survey shows that key opinion leaders are increasingly concerned about the spread of medical misinformation online and predict the problem will intensify over the next year. According to the survey, 61 percent of respondents are deeply worried about healthcare-related misinformation. When asked about the impact on patients and consumers, 79 percent cited the potential adoption of harmful and unproven treatments, and 78 percent noted a loss of trust in scientifically backed care. More than half of respondents reported that patients frequently come to them with information they found on social media, yet one in three said this information rarely contributes positively to discussions or treatment decisions. Shelli Pavone, president and co-founder of Inlightened, emphasized the critical role healthcare professionals play in guiding the public toward accurate information. She noted that emerging tools like AI-generated video applications increase the speed and reach of misinformation, making the role of trusted experts more important than ever.
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The survey also examined how healthcare professionals engage online. While one in four believe they have a clear responsibility to confront misinformation online, 60 percent said it is a complex issue. Over half of respondents have shared healthcare research or information on social media. Those who have not cited reasons including lack of social media use, concerns that risks outweigh benefits, and worries about personal safety. Nearly 30 percent have experienced online disagreements with unqualified influencers spreading false information. Experts noted that assistance with content creation, planning, and posting would make it easier to share trustworthy medical information online, a need highlighted by 53 percent of respondents. Maryanne Senna, Director of the Lahey Hair Loss Center of Excellence and Research Unit at Beth Israel Lahey Health, reflected on the speed at which misinformation spreads. She explained that trends such as unverified supplements and extreme claims can appear credible online, creating challenges for clinicians trying to protect patients from harm.
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Survey participants also offered insights on how trust could be strengthened online. Seventy percent recommended more scientific and medical voices on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, 69 percent emphasized wider access to evidence-based information, 57 percent suggested public support from high-level officials for the scientific community, and 48 percent highlighted reducing the online reach of misinformation. Dustin Nisley, LCSW and clinical director at Mindful Horizons Counseling, expressed concern about generative AI tools like ChatGPT being used to deliver unverified health advice. He stressed the need for ongoing conversations to elevate expert voices, highlight potential dangers, and promote evidence-based decisions.
This survey underscores the growing role of healthcare professionals in guiding patients through an increasingly complex online landscape and highlights opportunities to improve trust and accuracy in digital health information.
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