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New research commissioned by the CMA finds that one third of Canadians turn to the Internet for health information due to the doctor shortage. They also found nearly 80% of Canadians are highly or moderately susceptible to believing misinformation.

WHY IT MATTERS: When patients find misinformation or partial information online, it can lead to avoidance in seeking medical care and poorer outcomes, or it can lead to difficult and strained interactions between patients and their doctors.

• “This is a double whammy that no other generation has had to experience,” said Dr. Joss Reimer, CMA President, in the Globe and Mail. ​“We’re seeing both a crisis of access to care along with this crisis of misinformation, and together, those create real life-and-death situations when people don’t have access to accurate health information.”

THE ANTIDOTE: The short answer is you. Doctors continue to be the most trusted when it comes to health care and providing quality health information. This year’s survey found that an increasing number of Canadians believe health associations and groups representing health professionals are among the best positioned to provide protection from health misinformation, alongside governments.

PLEASE HELP! Doctors Manitoba is working to counter misinformation by growing our Getting Healthy public resource. We are looking for physicians to contribute trustworthy expert online content on health topics for Manitobans, to help them prevent disease and live a longer and healthier life. 

• Content can focus on topics like medical screenings, immunizations, eating well, moving more, reducing stress, and better sleep.

• Our in-house writer can draft the content with your advice and direction, and you’ll get to review and approve it.

• You will receive an honorarium for your contribution.

• Contact us at gettinghealthy@​doctorsmanitoba.​ca to help.

BY THE NUMBERS:
Health misinformation has real consequences:

• 37% of Canadians say poor access to health care and information has led them to trying medical advice found online

• 35% of Canadians avoided effective health treatments due to false information, 

• 43% experience distress or anxiety due to misinformation. 

• 23% had an adverse reaction or negative health impact following online health advice.