Have you found any strategies over the past few months that work in helping to combat Covid confusion, rumors, and fabrications?
This new article shows how doctors, nurses, and researchers fight Covid-19 misinformation among patients, family, and the public: Rumors, confusion, and conspiracies: Can doctors defeat COVID-19 misinformation? While they use different venues - in-person, social media, and new websites - they share basic strategies:
- Use facts but don't lecture.
- Build on relationships.
- Focus on shared goals.
- Don't challenge core beliefs.
- Meet people where they are.
Have you succeeded with these approaches or others?
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Patrick Boyle
Staff Writer
Association of American Medical Colleges
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-16-2020 12:12
From: Geoffrey Young
Subject: Fighting Fake Medical News
In this period of uncertainty, I'm reminded that the challenge of medical misinformation is not a new one. Even as far back as 1917, when the invention of the bathtub was blamed for causing a number of diseases, to last year's measles outbreak stemming from misconceptions about vaccines (AAMCNews covered this issue). I'm curious how you as clinicians are fighting the rampant misinformation out there right now, or as faculty how you're educating medical students and residents to be prepared to combat misinformation.
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Geoffrey Young, PhD
Senior Director, Student Affairs and Programs
Association of American Medical Colleges
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