​​The “antidote" to quackery and pseudoscience is evidence-based healthcare based on sound scientific research, and proper science communication to make technical scientific information digestible for members of the public.

This message was conveyed by Prof Wim de Villiers, Stellenbosch University (SU) Rector and Vice-Chancellor, in his opening address of the International Summit on Quackery and Pseudoscience recently held by the Centre for Evidence-based Healthcare (CEBHC) at SU's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), and the Centre for Science and Technology Mass Communication in the Department of Journalism.

“This summit brings together professionals from the medical sciences and the media and law for an in-depth focus on the dangers of quackery and to debunk some pseudoscience pretending to be the real thing," said De Villiers, who is a medical doctor by profession. He admitted to being concerned about quackery and pseudoscience, as these practices are misleading, exploitative and dangerous.

“Just take the anti-vaccination campaign, which is wreaking havoc worldwide! Diseases we thought had almost been eradicated are making a comeback, like measles," De Villiers said.

“This summit will not only highlight the threat of pseudoscience to the well-being of society, but will also offer effective tools to help people assess healthcare claims and make sound choices."

Speakers at the summit emphasised the importance of science communication professionals being aware of the dangers of pseudoscience, which often lands up in the media as “fake news". Fake news is media content that looks like factual reporting, but is actually propaganda aimed at swaying public opinion, and which is amplified by the internet and social media.

FMHS Dean, Prof Jimmy Volmink, warned that not all scientific evidence is reliable and highlighted some common misrepresentations of science in the media, as well as issues within the scientific process that can skew evidence.

“The media is replete with examples of single studies with exciting results. But research has shown that the findings are almost always wrong," Volmink said. He explained that many studies are too small to produce reliable evidence and that findings could be affected by the play of chance. Using examples of actual medical practices and medications, he illustrated how evidence based on small, single studies actually caused tens of thousands of deaths, and only came to light when evidence from a larger number of studies was consolidated.

Volmink also warned about scientific information being lost due to studies not being formally published, and bias creeping into research due to financial, ideological or other interests.

In her talk about communicating science, Prof Taryn Young, Director of the CEBHC, appealed to research organisations to enhance scientists' capacity to communicate their research with the public, and to foster partnerships between scientists and the media to facilitate the clear and accurate conveyance of the message.

The summit hosted an array of local and international experts unpacking an array of related topics, including communicating uncertainty in science, health regulation, pseudoscience in the media, and much more.

Caption: FMHS Dean, Prof Jimmy Volmink delivers a talk at the International Summit on Quackery and Pseudoscience was recently held by the Centre for Evidence-based Healthcare (CEBHC) at SU's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), and the Centre for Science and Technology Mass Communication in the Department of Journalism.