Social media offers a virtual space not only to connect with friends and follow celebrities but also to stumble upon amusing content, like videos of adorable pygmy hippos. However, an increasing number of people are using social platforms to seek health advice, a development observed closely by Dr. Mikhail Varshavski, known to his vast online following as “Doctor Mike”.
With 13.4 million subscribers on his YouTube channel and millions more across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, Dr. Mike utilizes his platform to critique and analyze numerous health-related videos that vary from being informative to alarmingly misleading. While he embraces social media to educate and engage, his role as a primary care physician in New Jersey brings him face-to-face with the real-world implications of online health information.
In nearly every patient visit, Dr. Varshavski encounters questions shaped by social media, whether about vaccines or questionable diets. His concern deepens for those avoiding medical advice altogether due to misinformation encountered online. Social media’s influence in health matters is undeniable, as research attempts to keep pace with its evolving trends.
A survey conducted by YouGov and Healthline in September 2024 revealed that 52% of over 4,000 adults had learned about health issues through social media, surpassing those who consulted medical professionals or health sites. Among Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, 67% had tried a health trend they learned through social networks as opposed to 32% of baby boomers.
Yet, not all outcomes of this influence are harmful, according to Dr. Katherine Chretien, a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Social media can indeed serve as a valuable source of accurate health information and community support for specific conditions, Chretien notes. Nonetheless, she advises caution in consuming any health content found online.
Dr. Varshavski and Chretien share several tips for safely navigating health information on social media. Firstly, they recommend taking a moment to pause before spreading information that could be exaggerated or false. Social media algorithms, which often favor sensational content, may not prioritize accuracy.
Secondly, it pays to scrutinize the source sharing health tips. It’s vital to consider whether they have the appropriate training and whether any financial incentives might be influencing their advice. Varshavski’s team, led by his show’s managing editor Sam Bowers, also makes a point of being transparent about sponsorships.
When consuming health advice online, it is essential to trust those with credible expertise, as a licensed professional faces accountability for their advice. This trust should override the instinct to believe familiar faces or influencers who may not bear any responsibility for the information they share.
Scientific consensus should guide public health advice, Varshavski advises, reinforcing the importance of multiple expert opinions when seeking answers to medical queries. While confirming a source’s credentials can be challenging, Varshavski encourages individuals to consult their doctors, bringing questionable content for discussion.
Varshavski appreciates patients who research online, provided it complements rather than replaces consultations. This approach can enhance the doctor-patient relationship and facilitate shared learning opportunities. During visits, individuals should ask doctors to suggest reliable health-related social media accounts.
Chretien encourages medical professionals to engage with social media to combat misinformation actively. Physicians contributing their expertise can improve community health by clarifying credentials and linking to credible research. Varshavski believes reluctance among real experts to engage online has left gaps filled by unchecked, potentially harmful information.
For health care professionals, it is crucial to support factual content, engaging with accurate posts through likes and comments to boost their visibility. As people instinctively seek immediate answers to health issues online, it remains important to understand how social media platforms curate these answers.
Balancing education and entertainment in health content is challenging, Varshavski notes, as platforms reflect user behavior and preferences. The rapid search for answers should be handled with an informed perspective, ensuring that health information remains beneficial and not misleading.
