K2 – Navigating the challenges of disinformation in healthcare

Link to EAHP Statements
Section 4 – Clinical Pharmacy: Statements – 4.1
Section 5 – Patient Safety and Quality Assurance: Statements – 5.1
Section 6 – Education and Research: Statement Statements – 6.4

Abstract
Disinformation in healthcare can originate from various sources, including social media, unverified online content, and even misinterpretations of scientific studies. It can lead to detrimental health behaviours, such as vaccine hesitancy, misuse of medications, and the adoption of ineffective or harmful treatments.
In today’s digital age, disinformation in healthcare poses significant challenges to patient safety and public health. Effective strategies for addressing disinformation are therefore necessary, among them the importance of strong communication skills, digital literacy, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals. Information sources need to be critically evaluated to provide clear and credible information to patients and society.
As frontline healthcare professionals, hospital pharmacists are uniquely positioned to combat the spread of false information and ensure that patients receive accurate, evidence-based guidance. This keynote address will explore the multifaceted nature of healthcare disinformation, its impact on clinical practice, and the critical role of health care professionals in mitigating its effects. Common types of disinformation encountered in healthcare will be discussed and tools to enhance resilience against disinformation are presented.

Learning objectives
After the session, the participant should be able to:

• to describe various forms of healthcare disinformation commonly encountered in clinical settings.
• to explain the potential impact of disinformation on patient behaviour and public health.
• to recall effective strategies to debunk health care myths and disseminate reliable health information.

Educational need addressed
Hospital pharmacists need to effectively identify, analyze, and combat healthcare disinformation and they need to be equipped with necessary skills and strategies to provide accurate, evidence-based information.

Keywords
Disinformation, social media, communication, evidence-based information.