Over the past year in hospital, I’ve seen patients who have eschewed treatment for thyroid disorders and type 2 diabetes on the basis of advice they’ve seen online from podcasters and wellness videos advocating for alternative methods. I have seen patients who want intravenous fluids, vitamin and supplement replacements, inspired by the rise in IV wellness clinics which many celebrities advocate – despite the risk of severe line infections and little 4d benefit in return if there are no deficiencies.
Vaccination scepticism is hardly new, of course. There was a backlash during the Covid-19 pandemic, with many people feeling that their basic liberties had been taken away from them, which heightened conspiratorial beliefs against health organisations and scientific research. The difference now is that false information, quite like a pandemic, spreads rapidly to thousands. As a result, vaccination uptake remains below the 95 per cent target, and infectious diseases like measles have returned in the last few years. More generally, certain movements on social media are creating an environment of scepticism towards healthcare and medicine, and a sense that the health industry has lied to them about modern treatment.
Dr Ammad Butt says incidents such as the infected blood scandal have made patients sceptical of the health service and more susceptible to misinformation (Photo: Supplied)The fear for doctors like me is that patients will try these alternative methods first, without an evidence base or without consulting a doctor, and then present to GP or hospital later down the line when they are potentially more symptomatic and unwell than they previously were. I know that part of the issue is with GP waiting times being as high as they currently are – patients often feel forced to look to alternatives when they physically cannot see their doctor and end up following advice they see online.
The Ultimate Human Podcast is hosted by Gary Brecka, a human biologist and ‘longevity expert’ who claims to know when humans will die. He also suggested that ADHD may be caused by an excess of folic acid in the diet, which is not supported by any evidence. Brecka, meanwhile, has more than two million followers on Instagram. He has been credited by Dana White, the chief executive of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), for ‘saving his life’.
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Read MoreJoe Rogan could be considered the leader of the “podcast bros” pack. His podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, has more than 15 million followers on Spotify and almost 20 million on YouTube, and likely played a role in the outcome of the 2024 US Presidential election – with Trump himself thanking him for his endorsement.
In response to criticism of his podcast, Rogan has denied trying to spread misinformation, saying he “never tried to do anything with this podcast other than just talk to people”. He has also pledged to “try to balance out these more controversial viewpoints with other people’s perspectives, so we can maybe find a better point of view”.
And on this side of the Atlantic, in our ‘beloved’ NHS, we have also had a plethora of health scandals and cover ups – the most notable of which being the infected blood scandal, where thousands of patients with haemophilia were lied to about the risks when receiving blood products in the NHS, going on to be infected with HIV or Hepatitis C. Clinicians and health leaders cannot advocate for patients to listen to us unquestioningly, without acknowledging the wrongdoings of the past. So I understand why people might want to proceed with caution.
But without intervention from the government, increased health education as well as fact-checking provided by tech companies, the problem is likely to worsen going forward. Healthcare professionals need to work together with educators and policy-makers in order to make sure that patients are receiving the correct information about their health online and for patients to know where they should look to find the best resources.
Ammad Butt is a foundation doctor at University Hospitals Birmingham and a freelance writer
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