Published Apr 7, 2020

TV Doctors at CNN and Major Networks Questioned on Coronavirus Credibility: “Why Is a Neurosurgeon Presented as a Virus Expert?”

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Would you hire an electrician to fix your plumbing? Probably not. Which is why there is a something of a groundswell on social media from people asking why television networks are giving extensive airtime to physicians who they treat as experts on virology and public health, but are actually trained in totally different fields.

Some physicians working in academic medical centers have grumbled in private to SurvivorNet about the popularity of television figures such as CNN’s Sanjay Gupta, who certainly has the bona fides to operate on the brain and the spinal chord, but is not trained in intricate matters of the immune system or the interpretation of public health data. While this may be a form of professional jealousy, certainly, a good many television viewers say they take comfort from Dr. Gupta and his TV compadres such as Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil.

Perhaps to his credit, Dr. Gupta does, at times, seem to be slightly uncomfortable when his anchor colleagues make sweeping pronouncements about how to treat the virus, as CNN’s Chris Cuomo did last night when explaining his personal approach to beating down his own coronavirus by “getting off his butt,” the better to clear his lungs. Is this a treatment for everyone? Doctors SurvivorNet consulted say you need to ask your doctor about your specific case. It is worth noting that Mr. Cuomo and others like him are a source of inspiration and education for many and there is an enormous number of well wishers urging him to beat the virus, and minimize his suffering.

Many television news outlets, including CNN, are trying to ethically educate their viewers (certainly a worthy and important job), though recent short network promos for Dr. Gupta seem very much to paint him as not just a comforting source, but an expert on coronavirus on whom the audience can rely. Perhaps they can, but do we know?

The serious issue here is that people across the world are desperately trying to find answers about the coronavirus pandemic, and it’s hard for all of us to really decipher who is qualified to deliver this information.

I'm just going to say it, Sanjay Gupta is a neurosurgeon. Why aren't we pushing more pulmonary specialists?
— ian (@nirvana_kush) April 3, 2020

“I'm sorry ….@drsanjaygupta may be a brilliant neurosurgeon but his answers about virology, infectious disease and physics is sorely lacking. Just because he has an M.D. doesn’t give him any more knowledge than your psychologist on #COVID19Pandemic ….listener beware!!” Another person wrote on Twitter.

I'm sorry ….but @drsanjaygupta may be a brilliant neurosurgeon but his answers about virology, infectious disease and physics is sorely lacking. Just because he has an MD doesnt give him any more knowledge than your psychologist on #COVID19Pandemic ….listener beware!!
— Ken Harris ???? (@kharrisCellMed) April 2, 2020

Why TV News May Be Making Things Worse– What SurvivorNet’s Doctors Had To Say About Covid-19

During Covid-19, the SurvivorNet family is working tirelessly to hear from physicians around the country who are battling the outbreak. While many people may be turning to the TV news for answers, clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin explained to SurvivorNet why that may not be the best idea.

“Similarly to a cancer diagnosis, people go on the internet looking for an answer and not looking for their doctors to answer it, and what they come out with are more questions,” Dr. Strongin says. “More questions equal more anxiety. So, let's all figure out what the question is, and if we can't answer it ourselves, and we can't self-soothe ourselves, let's look for a doctor that can provide us with the facts.”

Dr. Brendon Stiles, a thoracic surgeon at Weill-Cornell Medical Center, echoed Dr. Strongin’s concern over people turning to television for answers.

“[Patients] kind of just seeing doctors on the TV screen,” Dr. Stiles told SurvivorNet. They’re hearing all these other things. They’re getting a constant cycle of news, but they’re sort of missing the human touch.”

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.