The role of health librarians in combating misinformation: Evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction

The outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in numerous human and financial losses. During this period, a great deal of information about the disease was disseminated; resulting in the emergence of a high volume of misinformation, which posed a threat to public health. Many organizations and healthcare professionals, including health librarians, were involved in managing misinformation. The present study aimed to investigate the role of health librarians in combating misinformation.

Methodology

This study employed a qualitative research method using a content analysis approach in 2022. The data collection method was semi-structured interviews, and sampling was done purposively. A total of 25 library professionals participated in the interviews including health librarians, library science academic staff, and library managers. The data were collected through mobile phones and face-to-face interactions and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

The results showed that “lack of reliable information” and “lots of gossip” are the main reasons for spreading misinformation. Medical librarians were recognized as key players in combating health misinformation. The study led to the identification of 4 roles for health librarians that significantly influence managing misinformation. These roles were “educational role”, “evaluation role”, “information counseling role”, and “research role”. The “educational role” was the most frequent role revealed.

Conclusion

It is recommended to establish secure channels for sharing accurate information. Moreover, systematically documenting libraries’ experiences and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic or similar crises is essential for improving their preparedness for any future crisis.