A recent survey by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) highlights a troubling rise in health misinformation among Canadians, with many reporting negative health consequences.

The survey found that 62% of Canadians frequently encounter health information online, marking an 8 percentage point increase from the previous year, alongside a 6 percentage point rise in social media usage for news.

This growing reliance on social media for health news has made individuals particularly vulnerable to misinformation, exacerbating existing health issues.

Notably, over 37% of Canadians seek medical information online due to a lack of access to healthcare professionals, which is a significant factor contributing to the physician shortage in the country.

Currently, approximately 6.5 million Canadians, or one in five, do not have a regular family doctor or nurse practitioner, leading many to self-diagnose using online resources.

The consequences of this trend are alarming, as 23% of respondents reported negative health impacts from following online medical advice.

Dr. Reimer shared a particularly concerning case where misinformation led a patient to refuse a blood transfusion due to unfounded fears about vaccinated blood.

Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, stresses the importance of maintaining trust in public health messaging to combat misinformation.

In response to the growing misinformation crisis, the CMA is advocating for initiatives like Healthcare for Real to enhance the media environment for health information.

Despite the challenges posed by misinformation, 80% of Canadians still express trust in medical professionals, suggesting a foundation that can be leveraged to address these issues.

The CMA also points to a projected shortfall of nearly 20,000 family physicians by 2031, highlighting the urgent need for a more integrated healthcare system.

To improve access to care, the CMA advocates for collaboration among healthcare providers, including pharmacists, nurses, and social workers.