Raise the Line

“People are not looking for a perfect, polished answer. They're looking for a human to speak to them like a human,” says Jessica Malaty Rivera, an infectious disease epidemiologist and one of the most trusted science communicators in the U.S. to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. That philosophy explains her relatable, judgement-free approach to communications which aims to make science more human, more accessible and less institutional. In this wide-ranging Raise the Line discussion, host Lindsey Smith taps Rivera’s expertise on how to elevate science understanding, build public trust, and equip people to recognize disinformation. She is also keen to help people understand the nuances of misinformation -- which she is careful to define – and the emotional drivers behind it in order to contain the “infodemics” that complicate battling epidemics and other public health threats. It’s a thoughtful call to educate the general public about the science of information as well as the science behind medicine. Tune in for Rivera’s take on the promise and peril of AI-generated content, why clinicians should see communication as part of their professional responsibility, and how to prepare children to navigate an increasingly complex information ecosystem.Mentioned in this episode:de Beaumont Foundation If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/podcast

“Delivering a baby one day and holding a patient’s hand at the end of life literally the next day...that continuity is very powerful,” says Dr. Jen Brull, board chair of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). And as she points out, that continuity also builds trust with patients, an increasingly valuable commodity when faith in medicine and science is declining. As you might expect given her role, Dr. Brull believes strengthening family medicine is the key to improving health and healthcare. Exactly how to do that is at the heart of her conversation with host Lindsey Smith on this episode of Raise the Line, which covers ideas for payment reform, reducing administrative burdens, and stronger support for physician well-being. And with a projected shortage of nearly forty thousand primary care physicians, Dr. Brull also shares details on AAFP’s “Be There First” initiative which is designed to attract service-minded medical students – whom she describes as family physicians at heart -- early in their educational journey. “I have great hope that increasing the number of these service-first medical students will fill part of this gap.”Tune-in for an informative look at a cornerstone of the healthcare system and what it means to communities of all sizes throughout the nation.  Mentioned in this episode:AAFP If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/podcast

“This is a time to reimagine public health and public health/healthcare system integration,” says Dr. Deb Houry, the former chief medical officer for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In this thoughtful Raise the Line conversation, Dr. Houry reflects on unprecedented federal action in vaccine guidance and other issues since her noteworthy resignation from the CDC in August, and sees a more decentralized landscape emerging where states and localities play a larger role in providing public health recommendations. And while she acknowledges upsides to this shift, she’s also concerned what the absence of a national consensus on health standards could mean. “Diseases don't recognize borders, and it’s also important that people have equitable access to preventative services, vaccines, and other things,” she tells host Lindsey Smith. Tune in for Dr. Houry’s seasoned perspective on this consequential moment in public health, and her encouraging message for learners and early career providers considering a career in the sector.Mentioned in this episode:DH Leadership & Strategy Solutions If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/podcast

“My most powerful content is when I lead with my voice as a mom because I have the same concerns about keeping my kids safe as my audience does. It’s a powerful and effective way to find common ground with people,” says Dr. Jess Steier, a popular public health scientist and science communicator seeking to bridge divides and foster trust through empathetic, evidence-based communication. Dr. Steier has several platforms from which to do this work, including  Unbiased Science --  a communication hub that uses multiple social media platforms and other communications channels to share validated health and science information -- and as executive director of the Science Literacy Lab, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reaching a diverse audience seeking clarity and reliable information on scientific topics. “The science is less than half the battle,” she explains. “It’s about how to communicate with empathy.”Join Raise the Line host Lindsey Smith for a valuable conversation that explores:What sources Dr. Steier relies on to validate informationHow she uses “escape room” exercises to train clinicians on empathetic communicationWhy tailored, story-driven messages reach audiences more effectively than facts.Mentioned in this episode:Unbiased Science If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/podcast

“I realized that rather than talking one-to-one with patients in the exam room, you could talk one-to-many on social media,” says Dr. Kevin Pho, explaining the origins of KevinMD, the highly influential information sharing site he created for physicians, medical students and patients twenty years ago. Since then, KevinMD has become a valuable space for clinicians and patients to share stories and perspectives on topics from burnout and moral injury to technology and trust. In this conversation with Raise the Line host Michael Carrese, Dr. Pho reflects on the dual paths that have defined his career: as a practicing internal medicine physician and as one of healthcare’s most trusted online voices. And despite the challenges of doing so, Dr. Pho encourages other medical providers to follow his lead. “Patients are going online, and if physicians are not there, they’re going to get information that’s perhaps politically-driven or simply inaccurate.”This thoughtful conversation also explores: How social media has reshaped health communicationThe risks and rewards for clinicians of having an online presence Why medical schools should teach negotiating skillsMentioned in this episode:KevinMDEstablishing, Managing and Protecting Your Online Reputation If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/podcast