Health Misinformation: Health & Media Literacy

Media literacy is "the ability to critically analyze stories presented in the mass media and to determine their accuracy or credibility" (Oxford Dictionary). 

How to become media literate:

• Be curious: Independently verify the source and the information by doing a separate search and utilizing fact-checking sites and mainstream news sources. 
• Pause: If you have an emotional reaction to a source or news article, pause, reflect, and verify before sharing the information with others. 
• Be proactive: Investigate your news sources. Don't only use social media or web search results, actively search out highly credible and high quality news sources. Social media is designed to present news and opinions that reinforce your current view. 

Engle, Michael. "How to be Media Literate." Misinformation, Disinformation, and Propaganda. Cornell University Libguides. https://guides.library.cornell.edu/evaluate_news/media_literate.

Tips for improving communication with patients:

• Slow down: Talk and explain slowly
• Use living room language: Use language that anyone on the street could understand
• Convey most important concepts: Make sure the patient has a good understanding of what was said
• Involve family members: Patients are more likely to ask questions and remember what was said when they have an advocate in the room
• Use visual aids: Use posters and diagrams, or other visual aids while explaining concepts to patients
• Employ the teach-back method: At the end of the visit, ask the patient how they would explain their medication/medical instructions to their close friends or family