Nearly all GPs are worried about medical misinformation

A survey from drug company Pfizer found nine in 10 GPs are experiencing an increase in patients requesting non-evidence-based treatments.

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GPs are copping the worst of a rising tide of medical misinformation, but resources and education to help combat it are few and far between.

According to a new survey of 300 Australian GPs, commissioned by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, up to 97% of GPs have seen a concerning shift in patient attitudes and behaviour related to medical misinformation over the last two years.

Around nine in 10 respondents noted an increase in vaccine hesitancy or an increase in patients requesting non-evidence-based treatments.

A further 80% said an increasing number of patients were not adhering to prescribed medicine regimens.

One in four GPs said they did not feel comfortable discussing misinformation with patients, with most citing fears that doing so could damage the therapeutic relationship.

Around half of the uncomfortable cohort said they had insufficient training in combatting misinformation, while 20% said they lacked the resources.

Pfizer Australia and New Zealand medical director Dr Krishan Thiru told The Medical Republic that the rise in medical misinformation reflected the fact that patients access information from a wide range of sources.

“There are many more ways of getting information these days, which in most cases is a good thing,” he said.

“But it also means that … when misinformation is put out there, it can spread a lot more quickly.”

Dr Thiru said Pfizer was investigating the GP experience and how it could best support healthcare professionals to counter misinformation.

This can come down to not just knowing the right information, but the ability to communicate the right information in the context of a consultation.

“Australian GPs, by the nature of their role and the continuing professional development that they need to do, are generally very up to date on information,” Dr Thiru said.

“It’s not just about finding that up-to-date information, but it is about the techniques of how you can recognise patients who maybe have been subject to misinformation.

“Obviously, there are barriers … I think it’s more about learning how to identify and then sensitively but effectively counter that within a patient consultation.”

The next phase of the research, which will look to solutions, will be released later this year.