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Original Investigation I Public Health

Communication of COVID-19 Misinformation on Social Media by Physicians

in the US

Sahana Sule, BS; Marisa C. DaCosta, BS: Erin DeCou, MPA; Charlotte Gilson: Kate Wallace, MPH: Sarah L. Goff. MD, PhD

Abstract

IMPORTANCE Approximately onerthird of the more than 1 100 000 confirmed COVIDVIQ—related
deaths as of January 18, 208, were considered preventable if public health recommendations had
been followed. Physicians' propagation of misinformation about COVID-iQ on social media and other
internet-based platforms has raised professional, public health. and ethical concerns.

omzmvz —
—nline platforms used. and (3) the characteristics of the
physicians spreading misinformation.

DBIGN. SE‘ITING. AND PARTICIPANTS Using US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
guidelines for the prevention and treatment of COVlD-19 infection during the study window to define
misinformation, structured searches of high-use social media platforms (T witter. Facebook.
Instagram, Parler. and YouTube) and news sources (The New York Times, National Public Radio) were
conducted to identify COVI 0719 misinformation communicated by USrbased physicians between
January 2021 and December 2022. Physicians' state of licensure and medical specialty were
identified. The number of followers for each physician on 4 major platforms was extracted to
estimate reach and qualitative content analysis of the messages was performed.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Outcome measures included categories of COVID»19
misinformation propagated. the number and traits of physicians engaged in misinformation
propagation, and the type of online media channels used to propagate misinformation and

potential reach,

RESULTS _
_eneral misinformation categories included

vaccines, medication, masks. and other (ie, conspiracy theories). Forty-two physicians (80.8%)
posted vaccine misinformation, 40 (76.9%) propagated information in more than 1 category, and 20
(38.5%) posted misinformation on 5 or more platforms. Major themes identified included (1)

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this mixed-methods study of US physician propagation of
COVlD-19 misinformation on social media, results suggest widespread. inaccurate. and potentially
harmful assertions made by physicians across the country who represented a range of subspecialties.
Further research is needed to assess the extent of the potential harms associated with physician

Key Points

Question What typs of COVIDJQ
misinformation have been propagated
online by US physicians and through
what channels?

Findings In this mixed-methods study
of highruse social media platforms.

Meaning This study‘s findings suggest a

need fo—

who

hold a uniquely trusted position in
society. propagating misinformation:
ethical and legal guidelines for
propagation of misinformation

are needed.

+ Supplementalcontent

Author affiliations and article information are
listed at the end of this article.