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Unofficial and not affiliated with Duke. A snapshot of classes that were open on 22 Oct 2026. Seats change daily, so confirm in DukeHub before you plan around anything.

Courses / Medicine / MEDICINE

MEDICINE 457C

Misinformation and the Biomedical Social Media Ecosystem

Abby Rader

Description from DukeHub

Health decisions are increasingly made within an information ecosystem optimized for engagement rather than evidence. Clinical care is largely organized around diagnosing and treating illness, while public health primarily operates through population-level interventions. The space between them, where health beliefs, decisions, and behaviors are shaped, is structurally underserved. This elective prepares future clinicians and biomedical scientists to understand and engage the modern health information ecosystem. We will examine the history of medical misinformation and distrust, how evidence traditionally moves from research to practice, and how algorithms, influencers, AI, and advertising shape today’s information landscape. Open to MS3 students (with mentor approval) and to MS4 students. For questions, contact Dr. Robert Califf, Secondary Contact: Abigail Rader Credit:1 (non direct patient care). Maximum enrollment: 50; Minimum Enrollment: 1. Robert Califf, MD

Skills

  • clinicalSchool of Medicine clinical course
  • ai and machine learningAI review: "how algorithms, influencers, AI, and advertising shape today’s information landscape"

AI-resilient: 3 of 5

  • Yes: Physical, lab or field work · "patient care"
  • Yes: Live work with people · "clinical"
  • Yes: Judgment someone is accountable for · "decisions"
  • No: A craft you practice with your hands or body
  • No: Small, in-person format

The checks lean on Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025), which found generative AI applies least to physical work and hands-on work with people. A signal, not a promise. How the score works

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