109 Educating Patients: Creating Teaching Moments in Practice
Incorrect information Misinformation is described as false or inaccurate information that may be delib- erately provided or manipulated (World Health Organization [WHO], 2022). Healthcare professionals must deter- mine if patients have been misinformed or provided with incorrect healthcare in- formation. Inaccurate information can be passed along from multiple sources and others in the community such as family and friends, traditional media, and social media. The advent of social media has in- creased the ease and spread of informa- tion, and studies are now examining the effects of misrepresentation of healthcare topics. Effective communication between healthcare professionals and patients can uncover misinformation or inaccurate in- formation, which can present as a teach- ing moment (Khullar, 2022; Murthy, 2021). EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE One systematic review was performed following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to examine the level of mis- information on social media. Results showed that up to 28.8% of the con- tent on four major social media sites involved healthcare misinformation (Borges do Nascimento et al., 2022; WHO, 2022). Misinformation or incorrect informa - tion is an opportunity for healthcare professionals to provide correct evi- dence and build trust. It is important to note that some misinformation may connect to patient beliefs. Healthcare professionals should determine pa- tients’ beliefs, values, lived experienc- es, and knowledge while engaging and establishing relationships with them. Communication about misinformation
and incorrect information requires em- pathy and personalization of the con- versation to the patient (Khullar, 2022; Murthy, 2021). Plain language is essential, and health literacy promotion is needed to overcome misinformation and inaccurate informa- tion. Use of resources and materials that are evidence based, at an appropriate level, can also assist with correcting mis- information. Theories of improving health literacy stress that each person has a right to health information for decision making and that healthcare should be developed in a manner that is understandable and valuable to health, long life, and quality of life. Health literacy can be improved through providing accurate healthcare (CDC, 2022). Healthcare professionals are in posi- tions of trust and can influence the knowl - edge and decisions that patients have and make about their health and healthcare. It is important that all information given to patients and families during teaching moments and while providing education be accurate and unbiased. Healthcare professionals must identify their own per- sonal biases and provide facts to patients. An example that has been seen in recent years is related to vaccinations. Another consideration is that if patients and fam- ilies ask questions to which healthcare professionals do not have immediate answers, it is vital to not use a guess or speculation in response. It is better to tell patients that an answer will be found, then come back with the correct informa- tion in a timely fashion.
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