Medical misinformation spread by social media algorithms has become one of the greatest risks to public health, a leading Spanish physician warned in an article published in Spain on August 28, 2026. Tomás Cobo Castro, writing for Spanish national newspaper La Razón, reported that unverified online health advice was actively eroding patient trust in qualified medical professionals.
Cobo Castro highlighted that millions of people consult internet platforms and social networks daily before or after visiting a healthcare professional. He said that while patients search online for answers, relief, and certainty, scientifically sound information now coexists with unbacked claims that achieve massive reach through algorithm amplification and the appeal of online influencers.
Social media impact on health
According to Cobo Castro, health has increasingly turned into a digital consumer product. He warned that a short video lasting just seconds or a post with thousands of likes is now enough to spread an unfounded diet, a miracle treatment, or a conspiracy theory across the world within hours.
In many cases, the number of online followers appears to carry more weight than medical knowledge, while viral influence overshadows professional competence, Cobo Castro noted. He emphasized that medicine does not work that way and never has, explaining that real medical progress relies on rigorous research, scientific evidence, clinical experience, and the constant evaluation of patient outcomes.
Every medical decision carries immense responsibility because it directly affects an individual's health, Cobo Castro said. He stressed that personal opinion is insufficient in medicine, where practitioners must understand and interpret scientific evidence, take responsibility for their recommendations, and remain ethically accountable for the guidance they provide.
The role of patient trust
Cobo Castro described trust as the historical foundation of the clinical relationship between doctors and patients. When patients enter a consultation room, he noted, they entrust professionals not only with a diagnosis or prescription, but with their fears, anxieties, expectations, and decisions that shape their lives.
That clinical bond is not built on personal popularity or charisma, but on professional competence, honesty, independence, active listening, and commitment, Cobo Castro said. He added that essential healthcare functions, including treatment adherence, disease prevention, shared decision-making, and the proper operation of the healthcare system, depend heavily on that relationship of trust.
Misinformation endangers public health not only by spreading falsehoods or raising impossible expectations, but by eroding confidence in qualified practitioners, Cobo Castro warned. He said false claims sow doubt about interventions that have proven effective and encourage choices that can endanger human lives.
Spanish Medical Council campaigns
The Spanish Medical Council, known as the Organización Médica Colegial, has warned about the growing threat of health misinformation for years. To combat the issue, the organization launched public awareness initiatives, including its campaign titled No te enredes, designed to help citizens identify reliable health information and encourage responsible social media use.
Cobo Castro stated that the goal of such campaigns is not to restrict freedom of expression or limit public debate. Instead, he said the initiative aims to protect a fundamental right of all citizens to receive truthful information when their health and wellbeing are at stake.
Background on Spanish medical regulation
The Organización Médica Colegial serves as the official governing body representing registered physicians across Spain. Founded to regulate the medical profession and uphold ethical standards, the council oversees official medical registration, known as colegiación, which legally authorizes doctors to practice medicine under a binding national Code of Deontology.
Cobo Castro explained that citizens have a right to know the qualifications of anyone offering health recommendations online. For medical doctors, official registration provides public proof that a professional holds recognized academic degrees, is legally authorized to practice, and operates under strict ethical rules designed to protect patients.
Ethics and medical technology
The deontological commitment obliges physicians to prioritize the interests of patients above all else and mandates continuous medical education throughout their careers, Cobo Castro noted. He emphasized that viral popularity cannot substitute for clinical knowledge, nor should online reach ever be confused with scientific evidence.
Cobo Castro added that while modern advances such as artificial intelligence, personalized medicine, genomics, and novel therapies are transforming disease prevention and treatment, technology alone cannot replace trust. He said that while science expands knowledge and technology enhances precision, only patient trust transforms technical knowledge into genuine medical care.
Medical colleges exist to provide society with the guarantee that behind a doctor's guidance lies formal training, professional responsibility, and ethical commitment, Cobo Castro concluded. He stated that trust in medicine cannot be improvised, but must be earned, accredited, and protected every day.
