ArticlePloS one2023
Claims in the clinic: A qualitative group interview study on healthcare communication about unestablished side effects of the copper IUD.
Article in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Towards collaborative tinkering in contraceptive consultations: Negotiating side-effects in contraceptive care.Health (London, England : 1997) · 2026Article
- Engineering a smart intrauterine device based on pH-controlled copper release.Bioengineering & translational medicine · 2025Article
- How Women Discuss Heavy Menstrual Bleeding in Online Forums ("It's Like Revenge of the Uterus"): Template Approach to Thematic Analysis.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Article
- Trust in healthcare and perceived discrimination in Sweden: a fixed effects analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy.Frontiers in public health · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundLay online communication about health-related issues has in recent years largely been associated with the spread of misinformation and decreased trust in healthcare. Such communication has included claims about systemic side effects of the copper IUD. In Sweden, a social media group centered on this issue now gathers around 8,700 members. This study aimed to use the case of reported yet unestablished side effects of the copper IUD to investigate experiences of and reasoning about healthcare encounters between caregivers and patients contesting established medical knowledge.
methodsWe conducted qualitative, semi-structured, digital group interviews with members of the social media group (seven groups, n = 23) and with midwives and gynecologists (six groups, n = 15). We also gathered essays written by social media group members (n = 23). The material was analyzed thematically.
resultsThe participant accounts pointed towards tensions related to principles of evidence-based medicine, i.e., perceived insufficiency of research on the safety of the copper IUD and lack of clarity in routines for reporting and following up suspected side effects, and of patient-centered care, i.e., listening respectfully to patients. Tension between caregivers' obligation to adhere to evidence-based medicine while also providing patient-centered care was noted.
conclusionHealthcare providers' efforts to assess and address patient claims contesting established medical knowledge should include ensuring and communicating sufficient research, clarifying procedures for reporting suspected side effects, and improving person-centered care. This can increase the quality of care while contributing to the mitigation of distrust in healthcare and the spreading of health-related misinformation.
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