Podcast

278: Dr. Emily Oster on fighting misinformation and rebuilding trust in healthcare

Dr. Emily Oster explains why effective health communication is key to rebuilding trust — and how to do it well.

In last week’s episode, Advisory Board experts explored why leaders have a responsibility to combat rising patient distrust. The challenge? Most providers aren’t prepared — and often haven’t been taught — how to respond effectively.

Distrust isn’t just about debunking misinformation. The combination of low-quality research and panic headlines has made it harder for both providers and patients to separate credible science from misinformation. But there are actionable strategies leaders can use to identify what fuels mistrust and effectively communicate with patients in ways that build confidence.

This week, host Rachel (Rae) Woods sits down with Dr. Emily Oster — economist, Brown University professor, New York Times bestselling author, and Founder & CEO of ParentData — to unpack her approach to effective health communication. Throughout the episode, they unpack why scientific skepticism is growing and why the delivery of health information — not just expertise — is critical to engaging patients.

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A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.


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