Statins and barriers to their use in the community

Mainstream media coverage of various healthcare subjects is often prone to sensationalism, designed to invoke attention and engagement, making it difficult for the general public to discern what is true and what is not. Statins, in particular, have been controversial for many years, despite their widespread usage, and many articles have cast their usefulness into doubt.

Social media is also playing an increasingly significant role in healthcare and in patient attitudes towards certain medications, including statins. Although we know that social media can serve as an excellent tool for patient education, it can also help to spread inaccurate or sensationalised information. Research is useful in ascertaining what people outside healthcare think and feel about a medication and provides some insight into what patients may be thinking, but not disclosing. Such insight may aid health professionals in opening up discussions with patients about information obtained through their own independent research, so that the professional can answer any questions, clarify misconceptions and empower and support the patient to make informed choices.