Purpose of review: Media sources, such as the Internet, television, and social media, have become powerful communication tools that have transformed the way medical information is acquired across the world.
Recent findings: Over 40% of today's patients report that social media affects their healthcare decisions, and approximately 65% of healthcare professionals report using social media for professional activities. These enhanced communication tools have made a substantial impact on the widespread dissemination of medical information. However, as a consequence, popular media platforms have also become purveyors of medical misinformation. In this review, we propose a framework for clinicians on how to effectively and appropriately integrate medical information available via online resources including social media platforms into modern healthcare practices.
Keywords: Medical misinformation; Shared decision-making; Social media; Twitter.