GP Launches Campaign Against Health Misinformation
amsterdam, dinsdag, 16 september 2025.
Thuisarts launches the ‘Don’t Make Yourself Sicker’ campaign today to inform patients about reliable medical information online. Research shows that 85% of doctors encounter patients who find incorrect information, leading to anxiety and confusion. The campaign will use online videos, social media, and radio commercials to spread the message and reach more people.
GP Launches Campaign Against Health Misinformation
Thuisarts launches the ‘Don’t Make Yourself Sicker’ campaign today to inform patients about reliable medical information online. Research shows that 85% of doctors encounter patients who find incorrect information, leading to anxiety and confusion. The campaign will use online videos, social media, and radio commercials to spread the message and reach more people [1].
Growing Problem of Medical Disinformation
The problem of medical disinformation has significantly increased in recent years. According to research by the KNMG and NOS, 85% of doctors regularly encounter patients who find incorrect information online. This often leads to unnecessary anxiety and confusion among patients, negatively impacting the quality of medical consultations and increasing the workload in healthcare [2].
Objective of the Campaign
With the ‘Don’t Make Yourself Sicker’ campaign, Thuisarts aims to raise awareness of the significant difference between what you encounter online via search engines, AI, and social media, and the reliable information available on Thuisarts. The information on Thuisarts is created by doctors and is based on the medical guidelines of GPs, specialists, and other healthcare providers. The information is accessible to everyone, written in plain language [3].
Reach and Execution of the Campaign
The ‘Don’t Make Yourself Sicker’ campaign uses various channels to spread its message. Online videos, social media (such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok), radio commercials, and street posters are being deployed. The campaign primarily targets eight medium-sized cities: Groningen, Leeuwarden, Zwolle, Apeldoorn, Enschede, Tilburg, Maastricht, and Zaanstad. The goal is to establish Thuisarts as the preferred source for health information, encouraging people to check it before turning to Google or AI [4].
Reliable Information on Thuisarts
Thuisarts has been the most visited health website in the Netherlands for years, with an average of 197,000 visits per day (72 million in 2024). Although the site already has a strong position, platforms like TikTok and AI chatbots are gaining ground. The campaign aims to increase awareness of Thuisarts so that more people can find reliable information [5].
Collaboration and Support
Thuisarts collaborates with various organisations, including the Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG), the Federation of Medical Specialists, the RIVM, and the Patient Federation Netherlands. This collaboration ensures that the information on Thuisarts is always up-to-date and reliable. The campaign also responds to the rising trend in GP consultations for transitional symptoms and the increase in prescriptions for hormone therapy, for which the NHG has issued revised standards [6].
Practical Tips for Readers to Identify Misinformation
To identify misinformation, it is important to be critical of the information you find online. Here are some practical tips:
- Check the Source: Ensure the information comes from reliable sources, such as official health organisations or recognised medical websites.
- Seek Multiple Sources: If a piece of information is only found on one website, it is good to verify whether other reliable sources report the same.
- Pay Attention to Writing Style: Reliable sources typically use a professional and neutral writing style. If an article is emotionally charged or exaggerated, it is a warning sign.
- Check the Date: Ensure the information is current. Old or outdated information can sometimes be incorrect.
- Consult a Doctor: If you doubt the accuracy of information, consult a doctor or another trusted medical professional.
By following these steps, you can find better and more reliable information and manage your health more effectively [7].