Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Danger of Misinformation I recently completed a small exercise: I entered some interest groups' on Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter. In particular, I wanted to see the discussion about skin diseases and problems. In addition to that, I was able to get into a support group for people with psoriasis. Oh boy, I learned a lot! | do not diminish or dismiss the need for a conversation, especially for people who are psychologically compromised due to their illness. They should be able to talk to each other and share experiences. However, non-professional platforms like the ones I mentioned, do not distinguish among factual information, anecdotes, and simply fiction or opinion. That is a very dangerous problem. People who are emotional about their illness or any other topic, let it be religion, politics, or gardening, tend to share their subjective opinions and 'what happened to me' stories rather than objective facts. They also tend to treat anecdotal events as examples to support their theories. The facts may be completely different. Medical science is very dynamic; it changes with technology, new scientific discoveries, and research. It is difficult to keep up with all of it for doctors in all specialties unless they study on a continual basis. If they do, they should and normally do share their knowledge with patients. The outcomes of clinical trials are empirical facts. The recent eclipse was a scientific fact. Today's hot temperature is a measurable fact. That a week is 7 days long is a fact. And psoriasis is an immune system disorder, and it is factual knowledge. There is no alternative fact to any of the above. It is extremely important to assess the sources of your information. If you know your facts, you know the truth. If you base your information on subjective opinions, then you risk being far from the truth. Let me cite a great journalist here, William Whiteworth, who used to be an editor of The Atlantic and The New Yorker for many years. He said: 'I can't agree that the sanctity of facts isn't much. After Hitler, after the Moscow show trials, and the other horrors of this century, facts are precious. Yes, they are. And we need to make sure that we are not dogmatically dedicated to one sided platforms or non-professional sources, risking misinformation that can cost us our health. This is particularly significant during times when many, many people have minimal sources of information and are limited to social media. Yes, we have free speech, and we can practice it as much as we wish, but we do not need to trust and follow every free speech practitioner, frequently responding to topics he or she may know nothing about. And there are thousands of them. During my exercise, I could hardly keep up with new posts. All of them-misinformation. I gave up. I could do nothing to stop it or say: please, pause and think. The same journalist continued his thoughts: 'On the other hand, the sanctity of facts is not ALL we have. We also have kindness, decency, children, Bach, Beethoven.... I decided to stop my exercise of facts in social media. I cannot change the world. All I can do is to practice medicine in my community and make sure I deliver facts in my practice. Perhaps it will spread further. Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Danger of Misinformation I recently completed a small exercise : I entered some interest groups ' on Facebook and X , formerly known as Twitter . In particular , I wanted to see the discussion about skin diseases and problems . In addition to that , I was able to get into a support group for people with psoriasis . Oh boy , I learned a lot ! | do not diminish or dismiss the need for a conversation , especially for people who are psychologically compromised due to their illness . They should be able to talk to each other and share experiences . However , non - professional platforms like the ones I mentioned , do not distinguish among factual information , anecdotes , and simply fiction or opinion . That is a very dangerous problem . People who are emotional about their illness or any other topic , let it be religion , politics , or gardening , tend to share their subjective opinions and ' what happened to me ' stories rather than objective facts . They also tend to treat anecdotal events as examples to support their theories . The facts may be completely different . Medical science is very dynamic ; it changes with technology , new scientific discoveries , and research . It is difficult to keep up with all of it for doctors in all specialties unless they study on a continual basis . If they do , they should and normally do share their knowledge with patients . The outcomes of clinical trials are empirical facts . The recent eclipse was a scientific fact . Today's hot temperature is a measurable fact . That a week is 7 days long is a fact . And psoriasis is an immune system disorder , and it is factual knowledge . There is no alternative fact to any of the above . It is extremely important to assess the sources of your information . If you know your facts , you know the truth . If you base your information on subjective opinions , then you risk being far from the truth . Let me cite a great journalist here , William Whiteworth , who used to be an editor of The Atlantic and The New Yorker for many years . He said : ' I can't agree that the sanctity of facts isn't much . After Hitler , after the Moscow show trials , and the other horrors of this century , facts are precious . Yes , they are . And we need to make sure that we are not dogmatically dedicated to one sided platforms or non - professional sources , risking misinformation that can cost us our health . This is particularly significant during times when many , many people have minimal sources of information and are limited to social media . Yes , we have free speech , and we can practice it as much as we wish , but we do not need to trust and follow every free speech practitioner , frequently responding to topics he or she may know nothing about . And there are thousands of them . During my exercise , I could hardly keep up with new posts . All of them - misinformation . I gave up . I could do nothing to stop it or say : please , pause and think . The same journalist continued his thoughts : ' On the other hand , the sanctity of facts is not ALL we have . We also have kindness , decency , children , Bach , Beethoven .... I decided to stop my exercise of facts in social media . I cannot change the world . All I can do is to practice medicine in my community and make sure I deliver facts in my practice . Perhaps it will spread further . Michael Bukhalo , MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net