Fake news about the COVID-19 pandemic: perception of health professionals and their families

Abstract

Objective: To know the perception of health professionals and their families about fake news related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Descriptive-exploratory study with a qualitative approach. Twenty-eight individuals participated, including seven physicians, seven nurses, and 14 family members. Data collection took place between August and October 2020, with audio-recorded interviews. After transcription, the content was analyzed using Content Analysis, thematic modality. Results: Three categories were identified: “Context of the occurrence and dissemination of fake news in times of pandemic”; “Consequences of fake news on the experience of the pandemic”; and “Coping strategies to contain/combat fake news”. Conclusion: Sociocultural, political, educational, and technological aspects influence the occurrence and dissemination of fake news, which have consequences such as: misinformation, self-medication, worsening in the professional-patient relationship, increased need for additional research, and fear in the population. To face the current situation, greater control by the State is required, with investigation and punishment of people who disseminate fake news, as well as greater awareness among the population on the subject.

Fake News and the Covid-19 Pandemic: Repercussions on Nursing Assistance

“…Health professionals realize that the current reality, resulting from the digital and technological era and the ease of disseminating information, is a fertile field for Fake News [43]. This is because the data, after being distorted, manipulated and/or simply invented, create a current of disinformation or lack of information, incapable of being reversed [44].…”

“…Several situations of violence and clashes were recorded: due to untrue information about COVID-19, nursing professionals were attacked [45] impacting nursing care. The violenceexperienced by nursing affects the health of workers and patient safety [46].In the patient-health professional relationship, Fake News, in some cases, creates a situation of discredit, as patients lose confidence in the proposed treatment and in the guidelines that are provided [43], delayingor preventing effective care and even, in some situations, threatening the lives of individuals [47]. Finally, some participants highlighted that Fake News has a negative impact at the individual and collective level, as such news has the potential to generate fear and anxiety in the population or make a large part of people discredit protection measures [43].…”

Automedicação E Seus Riscos À Saúde Durante a Pandemia Da Covid-19: Revisão Integrativa

“…Um ponto a ser avaliado nessa hipótese está relacionado ao conhecimento acerca da eficácia desses "tratamentos", em que o embasamento científico muitas vezes é questionável ou inexistente; e mesmo com a disseminação de informações cientificamente fundamentadas, a população ainda insiste no consumo inconsequente. Vale indagar nessa afirmação quais motivadores/influenciadores mantêm esse comportamento, sendo abrangíveis desde a mídia e pseudo-notícias até mesmo a insegurança pela própria saúde e/ou dos familiares (10).…”

Changing the Incentive Structure of Social Media Platforms to Halt the Spread of Misinformation

“…In recent years, the spread of misinformation online has skyrocketed, increasing polarization, racism and resistance to climate action and vaccines (Barreto et al, 2021;Rapp & Salovich, 2018;Tsfati et al, 2020;Van Bavel, Rathje, Harris, Robertson, & Sternisko, 2021). Existing measures to halt the spread, such as giving users the ability to report concerning posts or prompting users to read articles before sharing them, have had limited impact (Pennycook & Rand, 2019).…”