Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Science

Popular TikTok docs have big influence on Gen Z followers, new research finds

Young adults following physicians on TikTok consider them more accessible, credible and altruistic than their own doctors, even when the physician-influencers are selling products. Moreover, the followers haven't actually confirmed the influencers' medical credentials. Those are the main findings of...

Popular TikTok docs have big influence on Gen Z followers, new research finds
Image: Phys.org
Young adults following physicians on TikTok consider them more accessible, credible and altruistic than their own doctors, even when the physician-influencers are selling products. Moreover, the followers haven't actually confirmed the influencers' medical credentials. Those are the main findings of a new study from Virginia Commonwealth University, co-authored by Suzanne Makarem, Ph.D., and published in the Journal of Consumer Affairs.

Originally published at Phys.org

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