Knowledge and information credibility evaluation strategies regarding COVID-19: A cross-sectional study

Background: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has not only caused significant challenges for health systems worldwide, but also fueled a surge in misinformation. Nurses as frontline health care providers should be equipped with the most accurate information on COVID-19. Purpose: This study examines nurses' knowledge and strategies of information credibility sourcing. Method: A cross-sectional survey among nurses and laypersons with no health care background. The questionnaire dealt with knowledge and ability assess credibility of COVID-19 information. Findings: Nurses' knowledge of COVID-19 preventative behaviors was significantly higher than that of laypersons; however, there was no difference in sciencebased knowledge of COVID-19. In contrast to laypersons, nurses in this study were better able to discern the credibility of health-related information about COVID-19 than laypersons. Yet they rarely used scientific criteria in evaluating conflicting information. Discussion: Given the importance of assessing the credibility of information, both information literacy skills and science-based knowledge about COVID-19 should be offered. Cite this article: Amit Aharon, A., Ruban, A., & Dubovi, I. (2021, January/February). Knowledge and information credibility evaluation strategies regarding COVID-19: A cross-?sectional study. Nurs Outlook, 69 (1), 22-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2020.09.001.

Automated summary

Nurses in this study exhibited higher knowledge on COVID-19 preventative behaviors and were better at discerning information credibility, but they rarely used scientific criteria when evaluating conflicting information.