RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Mitigating and managing COVID-19 conspiratorial beliefs
JF BMJ Leader
JO BMJ Leader
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 259
OP 262
DO 10.1136/leader-2022-000600
VO 6
IS 4
A1 Dow, Benjamin J
A1 Wang, Cynthia S
A1 Whitson, Jennifer A
A1 Deng, Yingli
YR 2022
UL http://bmjleader.bmj.com/content/6/4/259.abstract
AB Background/Aim Belief in COVID-19 related conspiracy theories is a widespread and consequential problem that healthcare leaders need to confront. In this article, we draw on insights from social psychology and organisational behaviour to offer evidence-based advice that healthcare leaders can use to reduce the spread of conspiratorial beliefs and ameliorate their negative effects, both during the current pandemic and beyond.Conclusion Leaders can effectively combat conspiratorial beliefs by intervening early and bolstering people’s sense of control. Leaders can also address some of the problematic behaviours that result from conspiratorial beliefs by introducing incentives and mandates (e.g., vaccine mandates). However, because of the limitations of incentives and mandates, we suggest that leaders complement these techniques with interventions that leverage the power of social norms and increase people’s connections to others.No data are available.