Factors Associated With Nurses' Self-Reported Susceptibility to Online Health Misinformation: Evidence From Greece

We investigated factors associated with online health misinformation in nurses. In particular, we examined the association between several demographic variables, nurses' perceived integrity of scientists, and online health misinformation susceptibility.

The ability to identify and counteract misinformation in healthcare is more critical than ever to safeguard public health and maintain confidence in evidence-based practices.

For this cross sectional study, we collected our data in Greece through an online survey during October 2025. We used the Health-Related Online Misinformation Susceptibility Scale to measure online health misinformation behavioral susceptibility in our nurses. We used the Trust in Scientists Scale to measure levels of nurses' perceived integrity of scientists. Our study adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines.

We found that nurses' perceived integrity of scientists is associated with online health misinformation behavioral susceptibility. Moreover, we found that nurses with an MSc/PhD diploma had lower levels of misinformation susceptibility. Additionally, interest in politics was associated with lower misinformation susceptibility.

Our findings showed a negative association between nurses' perceived integrity of scientists and online health misinformation susceptibility. Additionally, educational level and interest in politics were associated with online health misinformation susceptibility.

Identification of factors associated with nurses' misinformation susceptibility is crucial to identify high-risk groups and develop appropriate strategies to reduce this phenomenon. In this context, policymakers and healthcare organizations should reduce nurses' misinformation susceptibility and improve their ability to detect fake news.

Well-informed nurses are essential for providing the public with accurate and reliable information. In this way, public health can be promoted, and individuals' quality of life can be improved.