In:
Monitor Versorgungsforschung, eRelation AG, Vol. 16, No. 01 ( 2023-02-04), p. 63-67
Abstract:
Background: Health myths are widespread and have a long shelf life. Both lay people and health professionals are exposed to misinformation. It therefore seems central to ask to what extent lay people and health professionals adopt health myths and what health-related prior knowledge and what informational basis underlies them. Methodology: In order to answer the question, an anonymous online survey (N = 577) was conducted among respondents with no, indirect and direct health-related background. In addition to socio-demographic criteria, 12 health myths, the assessment of safety and the preferred basis of health information were queried. Results: In contrast to lay people, members of health-related professional groups resort to reputable sources of information. However, the findings show that prior health knowledge and reputable sources do not protect against adopting health myths. Conclusion: The results suggest that both lay people and health professionals need to be more aware of the critical and reflective use of health information and of the emergence of health myths and psychological phenomena (e.g. illusory truth effect) of human perception bias.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1866-0533
DOI:
10.24945/MVF.01.23.1866-0533
DOI:
10.24945/MVF.1866-0533
DOI:
10.24945/MVF.01.23.1866-0533.2479
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
eRelation AG
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2927900-8