Factors influencing nurses susceptibility to online health misinformation: evidence from Greece

BackgroundThe ability to identify and counteract misinformation in healthcare is more critical than ever to safeguard public health and maintain confidence in evidence-based practices. ObjectiveTo identify predictors of online health misinformation in nurses. In particular, we examined the association between several demographic variables, trust in scientists and online health misinformation susceptibility. MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out in Greece, with data collected through an online survey conducted in October 2025. We used the Health-Related Online Misinformation Susceptibility Scale to measure online health misinformation susceptibility in our nurses. We used the Trust in Scientists Scale to measure levels of trust in scientists. ResultsWe found that trust in scientists reduces online health misinformation susceptibility (adjusted coefficient beta = -3.290, 95% confidence interval [CI] = - 4.687 to -1.893, p<0.001). Moreover, we found that nurses with a MSc/PhD diploma had lower levels of misinformation susceptibility (adjusted coefficient beta = -2.470, 95% CI = -4.428 to -0.512, p=0.014). Additionally, interest in politics was associated with reduced misinformation susceptibility (adjusted coefficient beta = -0.794, 95% CI = -1.119 to -0.469, p<0.001). ConclusionOur findings showed that nurses who trusted scientists had also less online health misinformation susceptibility. Additionally, educational level and interest in politics affected online health misinformation susceptibility. Policy makers and healthcare organizations should reduce nurses misinformation susceptibility and improve their ability to detect fake news.