Article, podcast highlight challenges to trust

Janet Jokela, MD, MPH, MACP, a former ACP Treasurer, reflected on the growing challenges to the sacred and fragile trust between physicians and patients in a recent post and podcast on KevinMD.com. She pointed to shortened visits, rising skepticism fueled by social media, and even threats to physician expertise as stressors on this critical relationship.

Dr. Jokela discussed the recent upheaval on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices when physician scientists were abruptly replaced, raising concerns about the future of evidence-based vaccine guidance. She noted that groups like ACP remain committed to rigorous, science-based recommendations and urged physicians to protect the patient-physician bond through empathy, advocacy, and communication.

Read Dr. Jokela's article or listen to the accompanying podcast to learn more.