Hospitals restricting doctors' social media posts may worsen health misinformation, says physician

Adam Goodcoff, chief medical officer at HealthCentral, began creating health content online while in medical school, using short videos to explain procedures and counter myths, such as the depth of vaccine injections.

During his emergency medicine residency, he encountered a shift in hospital policy. Administrators warned that posting on social media could jeopardize his career, labeling online activity as a high‑risk behavior despite his efforts to share accurate information.

Goodcoff argues that these strict rules limit physicians' ability to address false claims quickly and effectively, especially as misinformation spreads rapidly online.

He calls on hospitals and health systems to relax their restrictions so doctors can actively combat health misinformation and support public understanding of medical topics.