The Economist podcast examines internet’s impact on healthcare standards

The Economist has released the inaugural episode of a two-part podcast series titled "Influencers vs evidence-based medicine". As part of the publication’s science and technology programme, the episode features Deborah Cohen, a medical doctor and author, who examines the growing influence of the internet on healthcare delivery.

The discussion centres on the intersection of social media trends and clinical practice, with Cohen describing how digital platforms are effectively hijacking healthcare. The episode serves as the first instalment of a broader exploration into health misinformation, highlighting the tension between online narratives and established medical science.

Cohen, identified in the source material as both a doctor and an author, provides a perspective on how the volume and nature of online health information are altering patient behaviour and potentially undermining evidence-based medicine. The podcast format allows for a detailed examination of these dynamics without the constraints of a peer-reviewed study.

The series is structured as a two-part feature, indicating that the current episode addresses only the initial aspects of this complex issue. Listeners are directed to expect a continuation of the topic in a subsequent episode, which will likely delve deeper into the specific mechanisms of misinformation and its regulatory or societal implications.

This release underscores The Economist’s focus on the societal impacts of technology, moving beyond pure financial metrics to consider how digital infrastructure influences public health and professional standards. The episode is now available on the publication’s podcast network.