Doctor Trolling and Misinformation on Social Media: The Hidden Crisis in Healthcare

Last weekend I was featured in The Sunday Post in an article about doctors being targeted by online trolls. The piece highlighted something that has become alarmingly common: professionals — particularly in healthcare — being abused, undermined, and falsely accused online simply for doing their jobs.

Since the article was published, many kind people have reached out to me, concerned that I’ve been subjected to this. I’m grateful for that support, but I want to reassure you: I’m fine. I have thick skin, and I don’t lose sleep over trolls. The real issue is bigger than me.

How the Trolling Article came about

The article came about because I’ve been speaking with journalists about issues that, to my mind, should never be controversial. Sunscreen and sunbeds. Straightforward topics where the science is watertight. Yet, somehow, these are branded “divisive,” and anyone who speaks out about the harms of sunbeds or the importance of sunscreen can find themselves the target of anger. I find that baffling and sad.

What makes it more disheartening is that I have always been a perfectionist about what I put online. Every post is scrutinised for accuracy, every fact is checked, and I would be mortified if I ever shared something that wasn’t credible or evidence-based. So it is especially galling when strangers, without any scientific grounding, comment under my posts telling me to “do my research.”

Why Doctor Trolling on Social Media isn't Funny

One of the more absurd things I’ve been told recently was: “You sound very vaccinated.” As if trying to save lives has become something to be ashamed of. Some people find trolls funny, and on the surface the comments can seem laughable. But I don’t find trolls funny at all. Yes, their words are often ridiculous, but not everyone recognises them as such. We have all met patients with unusual health beliefs, and we have all seen the damage those beliefs can cause when they influence medical decisions. If we dismiss trolling as a joke, we risk ignoring the very real harm it can sow.

LinkedIn vs Instagram: Very Different Worlds

When I shared the Sunday Post article, I posted it across both Instagram and LinkedIn. While I am now used to my posts attracting attention, the difference between the two platforms was striking. On Instagram, there was support. On LinkedIn, there was not only an outpouring of kindness but also a staggering amount of engagement. People didn’t just “like” the post — they shared their own stories of being trolled, ridiculed, or undermined online.

Professors, researchers, clinicians, scientists, and charity leaders all added their voices. Some reflected on how they had once tried to share evidence online but were eventually driven away by relentless ridicule. Others explained that publishing papers is no longer enough — we need credible, science-driven voices on social media because misinformation spreads too quickly. Many pointed out that visibility matters: if professionals retreat, then the loudest but least accurate voices will dominate.

One professor commented that what is happening now is “far worse” than it was even a decade ago, particularly for women and people of colour. Others spoke openly about being doxed, harassed, or personally threatened. Many simply said they were glad I was speaking up, because they had not felt able to themselves.

I was deeply struck by this. LinkedIn is traditionally considered a “professional” arena, so it is reasonable to assume that your average LinkedIn user might have a higher level of health literacy than your average Instagram user. LinkedIn is a space designed for showcasing academic and professional achievements, whereas Instagram is more associated with sharing snapshots of everyday life. Perhaps this difference in culture explains why trolling is less common on LinkedIn, and why people felt more comfortable being open about their own experiences there.

But the very fact that people retreat into “safe” spaces like LinkedIn highlights the problem. If credible, thoughtful professionals avoid messier arenas like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube because they don’t want to be trolled, then those arenas are left wide open for misinformation to dominate. When the trolls win, society loses.

When Silence on Social Media Spreads Misinformation

In medical school, we were taught the principle of “do no harm.” At the time, this was framed in the context of patient care: avoid unnecessary risks, protect the patient in front of you, make safe decisions. That principle still matters, but the world has changed. Today, silence on social media can itself cause harm. If those with knowledge and expertise are too intimidated to use their voices publicly, misinformation fills the vacuum and multiplies.

The Personal Toll on Healthcare Professionals

It is not only society that suffers when trolls dominate. Healthcare professionals — and anyone else on the receiving end of online abuse — are not immune to hurt. Our jobs are already tough, and hostile comments can have a crippling effect on mental health. Tragically, there have been stories of doctors and other public figures driven to suicide after relentless online abuse.

While I can handle the abuse I have faced so far, I would be lying if I said I never worry about how I might feel if it escalates. I am lucky. I have a strong support network around me, both personally and professionally. But even then, my mum worries about me. And I know that not everyone has that same level of support. For many, the loneliness of being attacked online can be overwhelming.

Resilience is Complicated

Whenever the issue of trolling comes up, people often talk about “resilience.” It is important, of course, but it is not a tick-box exercise. Resilience is not something you can build by attending a half-day online course and then carry in your pocket forever. It is complex, deeply personal, and constantly evolving.

And there is a catch-22. We need doctors online, but doctors also need to live their lives. Yet when your professional and personal worlds collide — as they do on platforms like Instagram, where you might be sharing holiday photos alongside professional commentary — it becomes incredibly hard to switch off. The messages from friends sit alongside the comments from strangers. That blurring of boundaries makes it harder to find balance, harder to step away, and harder to relax.

We are in a new era of doctoring, one that was never covered in textbooks or medical school lectures. Our role now extends far beyond the clinic or the hospital. It includes navigating online platforms, balancing visibility with vulnerability, and finding ways to keep showing up despite the noise. This reality needs to be acknowledged, openly discussed, and better supported.

Loud Voices aren’t Always Right

Politics and history have shown us, time and again, that the loudest voices are not always the right ones. But if the loudest people shout long enough and loud enough, eventually many others will start to believe them — even when there is little or no evidence that they are correct. That is the danger of allowing trolls to dictate the conversation.

Why Credible Voices Must Speak Up

Personally, I can handle the abuse. But I worry deeply about colleagues who feel they cannot. When thoughtful, educated voices step back because of fear, we all lose out. This isn’t just about healthcare. It is about what kind of society we want to live in. Do we really want to allow our public spaces to be dominated by hostility and misinformation, or do we want expertise, compassion, and truth to continue to have a place?

Trolling professionals should never have become normal. But until something changes, we need more credible voices stepping forward, not fewer. Because in the end, health promotion and truth must always be louder than the noise.

A Call to Action

I want to be clear: I am not saying every doctor has to be outspoken or constantly creating content online. That is not realistic, nor is it necessary. But what I am saying is that all of us - doctors, scientists, healthcare professionals - have a role to play. Commenting, liking, and sharing credible sources is not trivial. It is essential.

In my opinion, healthcare professionals are now overestimating society’s health literacy. We cannot assume that the average person has the tools to sift fact from fiction in an online space that is saturated with conspiracy and confusion. There is a growing pandemic of misinformation, and it is harming our patients. It is harming society. And it is harming each other.

We all have a role to play in protecting the truth, protecting our patients, and protecting each other. I would encourage my colleagues, in whatever way feels manageable for them, to be part of that. Whether that’s writing articles, sharing posts, or simply amplifying the voices of those who are trying to make a difference - it all matters.

So my call to you is this: don’t let the trolls win. However you can contribute, however small it feels, do it. Because silence is not neutral. And in today’s world, silence can cause harm.