Countering Medical Misinformation on Twitter: Readying Clinicians and Scientists

This thesis explores how clinicians and scientists are using Twitter to counter medical misinformation. Medical misinformation also referred to as fake news, reached an unprecedented level of sharing on social media between 2020 and 2022 due to COVID-19, the global pandemic. Many public health authorities partly blamed misinformation for a lower-than-expected uptake of vaccinations for COVID-19 and for the refusal of many individuals to follow public health orders, like masking. Having more clinicians and scientists on Twitter to provide evidence-based information may help individuals make informed health choices. By conducting semi-structured interviews with 23 Canadian academics made up of clinicians and scientists, it became clear that countering medical misinformation on Twitter is not solely about the words chosen for a post. Countering misinformation requires three things: clarity about the goal or purpose for using Twitter, confidence in the knowledge one possesses and the position they hold, and a clear understanding of the audience. Clinicians and scientists are underrepresented on Twitter. Not knowing what and how to post has been identified by members of these professions as a barrier to adoption. Findings suggest there may be a role for universities to play by offering social media training for new career scientists and as professional development for faculty members. Formal training may help more academics in health and sciences to start a Twitter account, and for those who have an account to share evidence-based information more often.

Author dc:creator

• Johnston, Kelly

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Vannini, Phillip

• School of communication and culture

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25316/IR-19242

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:null:10613/27568