Survey: Physicians Facing More Misinformation and Disinformation

August 26, 2025

America's physicians are seeing a rise in misinformation and disinformation from patients these days, and it’s impacting patient care, according to a new study from the Physicians Foundation. 

Misinformation is considered false or inaccurate information. Disinformation is false or inaccurate information deliberately intended to mislead.  

Nearly 60% of physicians said they think that misinformation and/or disinformation significantly impacts patient care.  

More than six in 10 physicians report that their patients are coming to them either misinformed or disinformed. The highest percentage is affecting rural physicians where 38% of physicians report a "great deal" of misinformation or disinformation from patients. That number is 21% of suburban physicians, and 25% of urban physicians.  

Nearly 90% of respondents said misinformation and/or disinformation has increased compared to five years ago.  

For more information on the survey results, click here.  

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