Prof. Dr. Yasemin Açık Warns Against Digital Health Recommendations
In a statement marking Public Health Week, Prof. Dr. Yasemin Açık warned against health advice found on the internet and social media, urging that decisions be left to physicians.
Public Health Specialist Prof. Dr. Yasemin Açık stated during Public Health Week, observed from September 3 to 9, that caution must be exercised against rapidly spreading health recommendations and misinformation on digital platforms. Emphasizing that not all information on the internet and social media is accurate, Açık noted that critical decisions such as treatments and medications must definitely be left to physicians.
Misinformation in Digital Media
Public Health Specialist Prof. Dr. Yasemin Açık drew attention to the risks posed by health advice published on digital platforms during her statement within the scope of Public Health Week, September 3-9.
She stated that while accessing information has become very easy thanks to internet search engines, social media, and artificial intelligence tools, this does not always mean the information is accurate.
Health Literacy Research
According to a study by the Ministry of Health, 69.1% of citizens prefer family physicians as a source of information, while internet search engines are used at a rate of 63.7%.
While digital tools accelerate access to information, they also bring along the responsibility to evaluate the accuracy of the accessed information.
Risks of Natural Products
Prof. Dr. Açık stated that plants, foods, and mixtures presented as natural may not be suitable for everyone and that individuals' health conditions vary.
Noting that herbal products can interact with medications being used, Açık emphasized that chronic patients and pregnant women, in particular, must consult experts.
Artificial Intelligence and Physician Decisions
Stating that artificial intelligence tools can be helpful in accessing information, Açık noted that processes such as making a diagnosis and changing treatments must definitely be left to physicians.
It was emphasized that the same symptom can be a harbinger of different diseases and definitive decisions cannot be made based on a few pieces of information.
Five Questions to Evaluate Health Information
Prof. Dr. Yasemin Açık recommended asking five fundamental questions to filter information on the internet, such as who shared it, whether it has a scientific basis, its date, and whether it contains assertive statements.
It was stated that in doubtful situations, reliable official sources such as the Ministry of Health and the WHO should be taken as a basis.