We Must Fight Health Misinformation With Empathy
As a doctor, these findings concern me, but don’t surprise me. People crave empathy, humility, and active listening. AI—as well as friends, family, and social media—can provide that. Whether they provide accurate information is, however, up for debate.
Empathy alone isn’t, of course, a substitute for good data. Our analysis shows what may work in the face of confusion: recognizing that people are far more likely to accept good advice when they believe their concerns are truly heard. That principle applies not only to the exam room, but to anywhere public health asks people to place their trust in expertise.
What techniques seem to make a difference? People reported being more likely to take advice when they believe, first, that their concerns and experience have been taken seriously, when they believe that someone understands their community, and when they feel listened to.
As we collectively wade through a sea of conflicting health information, knowing whom to trust is genuinely hard. Misinformation flourishes in the petri dish of uncertainty, especially when misinformation offers simple answers to complicated questions. But our analysis shows that trust is not out of reach. In fact, nearly half of respondents said they’d seen doctors or medical experts build bridges and grow trust. This is where this analysis holds hope and shows us that there are paths forward.
