Importance of science communication in actuality:

Paula Silva
17 de fev. de 2021
4 min de leitura

Public science communication and scientific literacy

The case of Non-Conventional Therapeutics

by Beatriz Mendes, Andreia Rocha, Marta Silva, Hugo Miranda

"We live in a society absolutely dependent on science and technology and yet have cleverly arranged things so that almost no one understands science and technology. That's a clear prescription for disaster." (Carl Sagan, 1996)

The spread of misinformation and disinformation, together with the influence of anti-scientific movements, highlights the importance of public scientific literacy. The average reader might mistakenly think that understanding science is exclusively for scientists, doctors, engineers. However, considering scientific literacy as the ability to understand scientific concepts required for personal decision making, economic productivity, culture, civic affairs and democratic processes, it becomes clear we all need it to engage critically with science-related issues and make informed decisions everyday: Should I vaccinate my children? Should I consume genetically modified foods? Should I take antibiotics to treat the flu? Should I go to the doctor or seek alternative medicine?

Non-Conventional Therapeutics (NCT) have been around awhile, despite their recent popularity. NCTs include both complementary (used together with conventional medicine) and alternative therapies (used instead of conventional medicine). The issue with such therapies is the lack of scientific evidence to support them. While some NCTs have undergone careful evaluation and are generally safe, others do not work and may even be harmful. Information should always be validated by evidential processes before being turned into knowledge.

Throughout this process, different types of biases can distort information, such as the confirmation bias, defined as “seeking and gathering data, information, and knowledge that support a particular belief” - that is, we often go to an extraordinary length to justify (confirm) our assumptions''. NCTs are especially prone to be affected by this bias, since they are often settled on beliefs, not scientific evidence. Scientific illiteracy is unfortunately very prevalent and alternative therapies are strongly promoted on social networks, e.g. Facebook, Instagram or blogs pages. In this relationship between demand and supply, some factors are important. On one hand, individuals seek holistic approaches focused on prevention and modern lifestyle, increased stress and concern for well-being are at the base of demand. On the other hand, people aim for alternative medicine when the conventional health system does not provide an effective or desired response.

Since most NCTs are dubious due to lack of solid scientific basis, how can we explain their growth? A recent article published by Jornal Público focuses on the prevalence of scientific illiteracy, explaining: “Scientists and policy makers are concerned. People don't understand science. They are not interested in science. They believe things that science claims to be false. (...) The problem must be in science communication”. In fact, the preferred channels to promote alternative therapies are user-friendly, of accessible language and attractive to the common user. They answer 4 fundamental questions (who, what information, what format and in what language) which lead the user to explore and learn. The same article also states: “Regarding NCTs, individual beliefs are mainly based on positive personal experiences with this type of therapy. Therefore, there is a greater subjectivity in the construction of trust, as it derives much more from interpersonal dynamics (therapist spends more time with patients, asks about their health in general, adopts a holistic approach) than from an assessment of scientific information on the topic”. Although the investment to in public scientific literacy is extremely important, it is also crucial to translate scientific information through effective communication. In this regard, the CONCISE project seeks to explore how citizens access and perceive scientific communication, how they take decisions about scientific issues and what sources they use and rely on. This project was developed to answer different questions, raised by individuals which are more connected to science: What explains the popularity of unsubstantiated beliefs? Why does it seem to circulate faster among populations than science-based information? What can be done to promote science communication and increase trust in science-based sources?

Policies supporting health practices without scientific basis are also a huge problem that contributes to public confusion, misinformation and lack of trust in science. Acupuncture, Phytotherapy, Homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naturopathy, Osteopathy and Chiropractic received legal recognition in 2003 and are legally regulated since 2013. NCTs practitioners must have a bachelor’s degree in the respective NCT. In Portugal there are bachelor’s degrees only in Osteopathy and Acupuncture. NCTs practice, like medical and paramedical practice, is exempt from VAT, except for Homeopathy. In 2019 NCTs were legally reinforced by being included in Health Basic Law. Opposite from this legal recognition, there are national and European movements against NCTs, e.g., the Portuguese President of the Republic has recently given his veto to the government proposal to recognize public interest in NCTs Higher School.

Portuguese citizens from various areas have signed a public manifesto that calls for political powers to revoke the aforementioned legislation. The Spanish government has recently launched the #coNprueba campaign, to give rigorous and accessible information on NCTs scientific evidence. In a joint declaration signed in 2019, Portuguese and Spanish Medical Councils called for laws to prohibit NCTs. France has announced it will abolish state funding for homeopathic medicines until 2021. In 2020 scientists and healthcare professionals signed the European Manifesto Against Pseudo-Therapies, to make political, regulator and consumer protection agencies aware of NCTs health dangers and the need to review the legislation.

Good healthcare communication implies explaining to the patient the state of the art of their health condition, resorting to terms that are adequate to the receptors’ literary status, thus guaranteeing information is understood. As previously referred, many NCTs conquer public opinion by facilitating scientific concepts, privileging communication and human contact, a strategy that should be adopted by conventional medicine to increase patients’ confidence in health professionals, comprehension of their condition and eventual treatments they are being submitted to. Also, a good patient-healthcare provider relationship is key so the patient is not afraid to reveal if he/she has resorted to NCTs and help them understand possible risks/benefits. However, literacy regarding NCT is still a problem amongst healthcare providers themselves, particularly those who are more prone to be biased. To assume a pedagogic, bottom-up approach to better counsel patients, it is essential that healthcare practitioners are familiarized with NCT, their scientific base, and possible risks/benefits. Let’s always remember that communication starts with the emitter!

References

Comunicar ciência - Ciências da vida e da saúde

2020/2021

Importance of science communication in actuality:

"We live in a society absolutely dependent on science and technology and yet have cleverly arranged things so that almost no one understands science and technology. That's a clear prescription for disaster." (Carl Sagan, 1996)

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