Impact of Online Medical Misinformation

NCT07601308 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: IRB00013620_MisinformationStud
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 300
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This mixed-methods study aims to examine the impact of exposure to online medical misinformation on medication adherence, treatment decision-making, and healthcare-seeking behavior among patients with chronic diseases. The study targets patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia and evaluates how misinformation influences real-world health behaviors. Quantitative and qualitative data will be collected concurrently to provide a comprehensive understanding of misinformation-related health risks.

Conditions

Medical Misinformation; Medication Adherence; Health-Seeking Behavior; Chronic Diseases; Diabetes (DM); Hypertension (HTN)

Keywords

Online Misinformation; Chronic Disease; Medication Adherence

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Medication Adherence (MARS-5 Score)

  Description: Measures adherence to prescribed medications

  At baseline survey assessment

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Susceptibility to Medical Misinformation (OMISS Score)

  At baseline survey assessment

• Treatment Decision Changes (OHIU-CD Subscale)

  At baseline survey assessment

• Healthcare-Seeking Behavior Score

  At baseline survey assessment

• Qualitative Themes of Misinformation Impact

  At baseline survey assessment

Study Arms (1)

Single Cohort: Adults With Chronic Diseases Exposed to Online Medical Information

Other: None (observational)

Interventions

None (observational) OTHER

None (observational)

Single Cohort: Adults With Chronic Diseases Exposed to Online Medical Information

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult patients with chronic diseases attending outpatient clinics, who actively use social media and are exposed to online medical information.

You may qualify if:

• Adults ≥ 18 years
• Disease duration ≥ 6 months
• Social media use at least once weekly
• Able to provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Severe cognitive or psychiatric disorders

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Alexandria University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University

Alexandria, 21511, Egypt

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Medication Adherence; Health Behavior; Chronic Disease; Diabetes Mellitus; Hypertension

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Patient Compliance; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Treatment Adherence and Compliance; Behavior; Disease Attributes; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Glucose Metabolism Disorders; Metabolic Diseases; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Endocrine System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases

Study Officials

• Mohamed Fakhry Ahmed Salem, PHD

  Alexandria University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Mohamed Fakhry Ahmed Salem, PhD

CONTACT

+201286038014; Mohamed.Fakhry@alexu.edu.eg

Ahmed Salem

CONTACT

Mohamed.Fakhry@alexu.edu.eg

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer of Medical-Surgical Nursing

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 9, 2026
• First Posted: May 22, 2026
• Study Start: May 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2026
• Last Updated: May 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

EG (1)