Surveys Show Doctors, Patients with Opposing Views on Medical Misinformation

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Nov 09, 2022, 12:03 ET

Merck Manuals now offering one method for evaluating resources online and through social media

KENILWORTH, N.J., Nov. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Two recent surveys from Merck Manuals offer competing views of the presence of medical misinformation online. In one recent poll conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of Merck Manuals among 2,044 U.S. adults, 44% of Americans believe there is more medical misinformation online and in social media now than in previous years. But in an opposing survey – a poll conducted by Merck Manuals of 263 physicians at the recent 2022 Family Medicine Experience (FMX) hosted by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) – nearly 98% of physicians said there was somewhat or significantly more medical misinformation online and in social media today than in previous years.

"We've all had that moment when we experience a new medical symptom – back pain, a sore throat – and we turn to the internet for information," said Dr. Sandy Falk, M.D., Merck Manuals Editor-in-Chief. "The challenge for patients and their doctors is that there is so much health information online and on social media, but it can be difficult to know which sources are credible. Doctors often point patients towards resources that they know are reliable. The Merck Manuals is committed to giving physicians and the general public access to trustworthy medical information."

The Merck Manuals/Harris Poll survey found almost half of Americans (47%) say consumer health and medical news websites is one the sources they are most likely to use to access medical information; 32% say to the same of family or friends; 20% say the same of social media. At the same time, only half of Americans (50%) say they are completely forthcoming with their doctor about the sources they use to get their medical information.

Nearly seven in 10 doctors (69%) surveyed at FMX said the availability of medical information means patients come in more frequently because they read about symptoms and/or treatments online. A vast majority of physicians (93%) say patients visit with self-diagnoses they've concluded from online information or social media more today than five years ago.

In order to help patients, evaluate medical resources online, MerckManuals.com is now detailing one method known as STANDS:

Source: Does the resource cite recognized authorities and provide their credentials?
Transparency: Is it open and obvious whether the site's mission is educational or commercial?
Accessibility: Is the site available without registration, and is there a way for users to contact someone with questions or concerns?
Neutrality: Is the information available purely as a resource, or does the site benefit financially from what its users do (such as buying products or visiting advertised websites)?
Documentation: Is the site updated when needed by recognized medical experts?
Security: Can users access content without forfeiting personal information?

Consumer Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Merck Manuals from Sept 22-26, 2022 among 2,044 U.S. adults ages 18+. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.8 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes and for the physician survey methodology, please contact Katie Miller at [email protected].

About The Merck Manuals and MSD Manuals

First published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, The Merck Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the world's most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers. As The Manual evolved, it continually expanded the reach and depth of its offerings to reflect the mission of providing the best medical information to a wide cross-section of users, including medical professionals and students, veterinarians and veterinary students, and consumers. In 2015, The Manuals kicked off Global Medical Knowledge 2020, a global initiative with the goal to make the best current medical information accessible by up to three billion professionals and patients around the world by 2020. The Manuals achieved that goal, and today its medical information is available in more than 241 countries and in 13 languages. It's continuing its ambitious mission through outreach, education and creating new reliable medical resources. For access to thousands of medical topics with images, videos and a constantly expanding set of resources, visit MerckManuals.com or MSDManuals.com and connect with us on social media: For Consumers in the U.S. and its territories: Twitter and Facebook. For Professionals in the U.S. and its territories: Twitter and Facebook.

About Merck

At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

SOURCE The Merck Manuals