Tackling patients influenced by misinformation on the web

Dr Rajiv Kovil is a diabetologist and the chairperson at Zandra Healthcare. Image Courtesy: Dr Rajiv Kovil

Today, we are living in a world of information overload. Information is available at the click of a button. In pursuit of medical knowledge, several patients tend to research about their issues on the internet before seeing a doctor. This can be both good and bad. Misinformation can lead to trust deficits amongst patients and challenge the doctor-patient relationship.

However, doctors are a resilient breed. To tackle the problem of health illiteracy among patients Midday Online spoke to Dr. Rajiv Kovil, diabetologist, chairperson at Zandra Healthcare, co-founder of Rang De Neela initiative. He shares causes and measures to prevent patients from falling prey to misleading information available on the internet.

Here are the edited excerpts from the interview:

Have you encountered patients with preconceived notions? How do you deal with them?

Certainly! During consultations, we come across patients who have become experts in searching for health information online. When confronted with such patients, I listen intently and try to keep a straight face as they share their theories, which can be quite amusing. Nonetheless, I create a comfortable space for them to share their opinions while also steering them in the direction of evidence-based information. This is a tricky balance between debunking their misconceptions while still respecting their beliefs.

In your opinion, how does a lack of health literacy affect a patient's approach to medicine?

Let me get started by first describing the world of health illiteracy! It's like someone driving on an unfamiliar route, encounters a spaghetti junction that has six point interchange, which exit will the driver take? When patients lack health literacy, they might not understand medical instructions correctly or get influenced by information available from various sources. It's crucial to improve health literacy so that patients can navigate the medical landscape with confidence. So, improving health literacy is like giving them a GPS to navigate their way to better health.

Why are WhatsApp and social media health posts so compelling to consumers?

WhatsApp and social media health posts are very appealing! They're like bite-sized pieces of information that are easy to consume, especially for people who are always scrolling. Plus, there's the excitement of sharing these posts with friends and family, so everyone can join in the discussion. It's like being at a virtual health carnival where you find both valuable information and some mind-boggling misinformation.

What percentage of the health information circulating on the web and social media is reliable?

Determining the exact percentage of reliable health information on the web and social media is like finding a rare unicorn in a haystack made of cat videos. It's challenging to find reliable sources amidst the abundance of unreliable information. For every trustworthy source, there's also misleading or sensationalized content. So, it's essential to approach everything with skepticism and fact-checking. Remember, Dr. Google doesn't have a medical degree.

How can people tackle health-related misinformation spreading on social media and the web?

You're stepping into the battle against health-related misinformation! To fight this battle effectively, you need to become a truth-seeking ninja in the virtual world of chaos. Develop your critical thinking skills, fact-check the information you come across, and rely on reputable sources like your doctor for guidance.

How do you identify a patient influenced by Google information?

You are now asking me 'how do we spot a secret agent among the crowd!' Well, I look out for telltale signs - like an extensive vocabulary of medical jargon and a knack for challenging every diagnosis with their newfound online expertise. But, at the end of the day, I rely on the delicate art of balancing their curiosity with gentle guidance, which I have now developed over time.

What can doctors do to create awareness around health literacy among their patients?

Doctors have a critical role in improving the Nation's health literacy. We need to be equally creative as our new-age patients are. Patient education should be presented in innovative formats such as a game, or an art form, or an immersive experience; such engagements garner better attention and encourages health-promoting behaviour. In a virtual world, doctors can make use of storytelling and poetic narratives; after all, we are competing with other content creators who have a bag full of misinformation packaged in creativity!

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