TY - JOUR T1 - Disinformation in the information age JF - European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy JO - Eur J Hosp Pharm SP - 319 LP - 321 DO - 10.1136/ejhpharm-2020-002213 VL - 27 IS - 6 AU - Yared González-Pérez Y1 - 2020/11/01 UR - http://ejhp.bmj.com/content/27/6/319.abstract N2 - The emergence of disruptive new technologies such as the internet, web 2.0, and social media have allowed us to bring about a clear change in society, as they have opened up new channels of communication that didn’t exist before. This revolution brings with it new ways to access, produce, communicate, and share information in milliseconds.This social change has accelerated with the emergence of mobile smart devices known as smartphones, because simply adding to these internet devices has managed to orient us to a social environment that is connected in a synchronous way, in real time, in a data-generating environment, on an ongoing basis, and has democratised the use of, and access to, knowledge in this new digital environment.People use social media to discuss different topics of interest, including healthcare: even health professionals take advantage of social media to share information, promote healthy behaviours, and educate and interact with patients.1 There are certainly benefits to using these technologies. However, they have also enhanced a problem already known for centuries: the dissemination of news with low scientific rigour, false information, or rumours that have the power to generate a state of disinformation among readers.2 A lot of misinformation currently circulating in the network is shared, goes viral, and can be even more popular than true information that is scientifically backed. If we analyse the content of this information, we find that it is usually characterised by personal opinions and evocation of negative feelings. These publications manage to influence cognitive and emotional aspects, triggering states of fear, panic, anxiety, mistrust, and hope, among others.1 Digital channels have developed participatory social communication pathways, through which new friendships are made and connections strengthened … Correspondence to Dr Yared González-Pérez, Hospital Pharmacy, Logroño, Spain; yaredgpz{at}gmail.com ER -