The hidden cost of health misinformation: distrust, treatment refusal, and the burden on healthcare professionals - Takeaways - MDSpire

The Unseen Impact of Health Misinformation: Erosion of Trust, Treatment Rejection, and Strain on Healthcare Providers

  • By

  • Daniel Catalan-Matamoros

  • Mariola Moreno

  • Carmen Peñafiel-Saiz

  • July 20, 2026

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  • 1

    Health misinformation significantly undermines trust in healthcare professionals and contributes to treatment refusal among patients.

  • 2

    Patients often rely on social media and non-expert sources for health information, arriving at consultations with conflicting beliefs.

  • 3

    Healthcare professionals report emotional exhaustion and communication challenges due to the prevalence of misinformation in clinical settings.

  • 4

    The study highlights the need for healthcare professionals to receive training in health communication and media literacy.

  • 5

    Misinformation is identified as a concrete clinical problem that affects the therapeutic relationship and patient adherence to treatment.

Original Source(s)

The hidden cost of health misinformation: distrust, treatment refusal, and the burden on healthcare professionals

  • by Daniel Catalan-Matamoros, Mariola Moreno, Carmen Peñafiel-Saiz

  • July 20, 2026

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