From Infodemic to Medical Misinformation: Burden, Challenges and the Way Forward: A Narrative Review
Abstract
The increasing accessibility of digital health information has led to the proliferation of inaccurate medical information, negatively impacting public health, healthcare providers’ (HCPs) decision-making and healthcare policies. Online platforms have played a significant role in the widespread distribution of inaccurate, misleading and potentially harmful medical misinformation, resulting in an ‘Internet infodemic’. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to assess the impact of medical misinformation on society and the medical community. PubMed and Google Scholar were searched using Medical Subject Headings terms and keywords, including medical misinformation, health disinformation, Internet infodemic, digital health communication and social media misinformation. Observational surveys, cross-sectional studies and systematic reviews published in English from January 2010 to June 2025 that focused on digital health misinformation, its effects on the healthcare system, ethical considerations and mitigation strategies were included. During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, this infodemic exacerbated vaccine hesitancy, promoted unproven treatments and increased distrust in healthcare systems. Significant challenges include a lack of consensus on identifying medical misinformation, limited digital health literacy and the absence of standardised regulatory frameworks. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to combat medical misinformation, involving evidence-based public health communication, digital media literacy programmes, fact-checking initiatives, regulatory agencies and technology platforms, as well as improving medical journalists’ critical appraisal skills. Collaboration among diverse healthcare stakeholders, such as HCPs, policymakers, medical journalists and the public, is recommended to combat misleading content and safeguard public health by promoting the spread of accurate medical information.