During COVID-19 vaccine rollouts social media has been a breeding ground for anti-vaccine sentiments, which have led to vaccine hesitancy. This can increase vaccine-preventable diseases and create public health crises.
Health-related misinformation in social media has been shown to lead to poor health outcomes, including delayed treatment, unnecessary treatment, and wrong treatment. False information can spread rapidly: Social media platforms allow information to be shared quickly and widely, which means that false information can spread rapidly. This can result in a large number of people being exposed to incorrect information and acting on it, which can have serious consequences.
More significant changes in recent years have been health-related misinformation eroding trust in healthcare professionals, leading to people seeking alternative treatments or avoiding medical advice altogether. This can make it more difficult for healthcare professionals to provide effective treatment and care.
With this in mind, recent vaccines delivered as part of the COVID-19 response, are having a consequential impact on the uptake of routine vaccines.
Australian Health Journal spoke with Dr Paul Griffin, an Infectious Diseases Physician and Microbiologist at Mater Health, and who has been involved in over 150 clinical trials in the field of infectious disease.
Now the Director of Infectious Diseases at Mater Health, Paul talks about coming into the field of infectious disease clinical trials, starting in malaria to now focusing on influenza, RSV and COVID-19 vaccines.
Paul reflects on the opportunity to learn and be involved in clinical trials from an early career stage and a turning point being in a senior role for a Phase 1 clinical study.
On the topic of misinformation in public health perception and literacy, Paul sees the issue continuing to circulate on the purpose of vaccines in general. This has also created hesitancy in ‘routine’ vaccine uptake.
Paul talks about the importance of having reputable sources of information that can used to encourage people to understand what is involved in clinical trials and the roles of vaccines.
Whilst the past 5 years may have improved public health literacy, it’s been outweighed by significant misinformation that does require an active campaign to encourage people to seek out information from reputable sources.
In closing, Paul talks about his advice for anyone looking to enter the field of clinical trials and vaccines: Early on, take the opportunities that arise, to be involved, help increase experience and new learning.
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Warning signs of substance abuse and addiction
Tara Hurster, is the CEO of The TARA Clinic and a psychologist who started working within the area of addiction in 2010. The TARA clinic, short for Therapeutic Addiction Recovery Assistance, recently started offering online programs to overcome and recover from addiction.
Tara spoke with Australian Health Journal about the early warning signs of anxiety and stress in health staff and executives, including irritability, changes in sleep patterns and diet leading to more serious mental health decline. These behaviours and symptoms increase the risk of substance abuse that could take the form of excessive smoking, drinking alcohol and drug use, porn, sex and gambling.
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Health-Tech Connections
Challenges in health care delivery have compounded, with clinical staff being exposed to the Omicron COVID variant. Reduced staffing has brought on its challenges to most already-strained state health care systems and the people working in them.
However, over the past 2 years of the pandemic, technology has played an increasing role on the front end for patients and consumers at home and clinicians in the medical setting. Much more is planned in technology that will deliver efficiency, reduce risk and make available new models of care. This has the potential to touch the working lives of all stakeholders and
recipients of care. -
The 2019 John Deeble Lecture and Panel Discussion
The John Deeble Lecture and Panel Discussion was established by the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association to commemorate the life and achievements as distinguished scholar, health economist and health policy leader, Prof John Deeble AO.
