New Mums Risk Kids Health By Asking Dr Facebook For Medical Advice

A new study has found that mums and pregnant women are increasingly looking to Facebook to get advice on medications and health conditions – and the advice they get can be dangerously inaccurate.

The findings come from researchers in the pharmacy department of Calvary Public Hospital in Canberra who examined posts made by local mums to Facebook pages and private groups.

They found the majority – 64% – were asking fellow mums for treatment advice about specific conditions, while 11% asked about administering medications, length and timing of treatment and medication expiry dates. A quarter of these posts were asking questions about medications directly by their name.

Most discussions about medications related to analgesics, antibiotics and vaccinations, while the majority of posts were asking for advice about treating conditions such as cold and flu in infants, skin issues and teething.

However almost one in five responses to these mums asking for advice were inaccurate – and two per cent of the responses would have actually caused harm if the advice had been followed.

Examples of incorrect advice included suggestions that could potentially make the patient’s condition worse, recommendations to administer too much paracetamol and immunisation advice that was incorrect. Inappropriate medication suggestions were also given for women who were pregnant or breastfeeding.

Only 1.3% of responses recommended that the person asking the question consult a pharmacist, and less than 1% suggested consulting a doctor.

The researchers said the project highlighted a definite need for healthcare professionals to provide clear direction on where pregnant women and new parents can get access to reputable, referenced and appropriate advice, especially online.