In the third and final episode of a podcast series on medical misinformation, nurse practitioners (NPs) Drs. Ruth Carrico and Paula Tucker delve into actionable strategies for building patient trust and addressing misinformation in health care. They emphasize communication frameworks like the 3 Es (Engage, Empathize, Educate), the 5 As (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange), motivational interviewing and shared decision-making. These approaches are designed to shift conversations from correction to connection, promoting understanding, empathy and collaboration between providers and patients. Both hosts stress the importance of humility, patient-centered care and adapting communication strategies to different health care settings. Ultimately, they call on nurse practitioners to incorporate these techniques to foster trust and informed choices in an era dominated by misinformation.

Tool link: MedMyths_3.pdf

In this episode of NP Pulse, nurse practitioners Jessica Crimaldi and Christina Hanson explore the evolving landscape of ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic inflammatory bowel disease affecting over a million Americans. With decades of GI experience, Jessica and Christina break down the burden of UC on patients' physical and psychosocial well-being, review distinguishing features from Crohn's disease, and examine the increasing prevalence tied to lifestyle and environmental factors. This important conversation dives into the era of precision medicine, highlighting a new generation of targeted therapies, updated clinical guidelines, and best practices for early diagnosis, management, and shared decision-making. From understanding disease severity and medication classes to addressing extraintestinal manifestations, cancer screening, and vaccination recommendations, this episode is a must-listen for NPs striving to provide optimal, up-to-date care for patients with ulcerative colitis.

On this compelling episode of NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner®, Dr. Jessica Peck, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE, CNL, FAANP, FAAN, and guest Dr. Ashley Hodges, PhD, CRNP, WHNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, dive deep into the adolescent mental health crisis, shedding light on the alarming trends affecting today’s youth. From the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to the pressure of growing up in a hyper-connected digital world, this discussion explores critical risk factors, early warning signs and practical strategies for nurse practitioners (NPs) and families alike.

This episode also emphasizes the importance of upstream prevention, holistic care, reducing stigma and integrating mental health support into primary care. Drawing from decades of clinical experience, Jessica and Ashley offer compassionate, expert insight on how to recognize and respond to adolescent mental health challenges, while highlighting resources, screenings and training opportunities for NPs committed to making a difference.

In this second episode of a three-part series, Drs. Ruth Carrico and Paula Tucker explore the challenges of medical misinformation, its impact on patient care and strategies for navigating the overwhelming flow of health information in today’s digital age. The discussion covers the rise of the "infodemic” how misinformation spreads and how nurse practitioners (NPs) can critically evaluate medical literature to ensure evidence-based practice.

The hosts share real-world experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the difficulties of adapting to rapidly evolving guidelines while maintaining public trust. They also discuss the role of social determinants of health in the spread of misinformation and provide practical solutions for mitigating misinformation in clinical settings.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding the Infodemic:

• Definition: An overload of health-related information — both accurate and inaccurate — spread rapidly via social media, news and professional circles.

• Impact of COVID-19: Misinformation amplified due to evolving scientific knowledge, political influences and social media algorithms.

• Role of Trust: Public mistrust in health care institutions and shifting guidelines fueled skepticism.

Misinformation Drivers and Consequences:

• Psychological Factors: Cognitive biases (confirmation bias, authority bias) make individuals more susceptible to misinformation.

• Technology and Social Media: Algorithm-driven content creates echo chambers where misinformation spreads unchecked.

• Public Health Outcomes: Misinformation leads to vaccine hesitancy, delayed treatments and preventable deaths.

How NPs Can Combat Misinformation:

1. 1. Active Listening: Understand patients' concerns before correcting misinformation.
2. 2. Effective Communication: Use simple, culturally relevant messaging tailored to health literacy levels.
3. 3. Building Resilience: Teach patients how to critically evaluate health information sources.
4. 4. Community Engagement: Collaborate with local leaders and organizations to promote credible information.

Evaluating Evidence-Based Information:

• Use the CRAAP Test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose) to assess credibility.

• Trust peer-reviewed sources like CDC, WHO, FDA, Cochrane Reviews and PubMed.

• Be aware of misleading studies and cherry-picked data used to spread misinformation.

Trusted Resources for Patients and Providers:

• For Clinicians: UpToDate, DynaMed, BMJ Best Practice, Cochrane Reviews.

• For Patients: MedlinePlus, Mayo Clinic, CDC Vaccine Fact Sheets, American Heart Association.

To claim 1.1 contact hours (CH) of continuing education (CE) credit for this program, “Navigating the Infodemic: A Call for Critical Thinking to Optimize Patient Care,” search for this program by the title and complete the posttest and evaluation by entering the participation code provided after listening to the podcast. “This activity is sponsored by an independent medical education grant from Kenvue.”

Tool: https://www.aanp.org/practice/clinical-resources-for-nps/clinical-resources-by-therapeutic-area/primary-care

Next Episode Preview:

In the final episode of this series, Drs. Carrico and Tucker will dive into practical strategies for debunking medical myths, patient-centered communication techniques and choosing the right battles when addressing misinformation.

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This week’s guest on NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner® is Elizabeth (Liz) Hutson, an NP and expert in the field of child psychiatry. Hutson walks us through some of the latest developments in understanding and treating neurodiversity in children and adolescents, the importance of early screening for autism and ADHD and what she believes every NP should know about seeing and treating neurodiverse patients.

On today’s episode of NP Pulse, women’s health nurse practitioner and academic Sandi Tenfelde, PhD, APRN, WHNP-BC, shares her vision of holistic patient care. In particular, Tenfelde discusses health promotion, disease prevention and dives deep into polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and how to best “empower patients and educate them about what’s going on in their body.”

Join AANP's Women's Health Community and help progress the development of theory and practice in women’s health.

The 2025 AANP National Conference includes sessions on women's health and PCOS. Learn more about attending in person June 17-22 or online beginning June 27.

On this episode of NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner®️, we dissect the pervasive stigma surrounding substance use disorders, tracing its historical origins and critiquing past punitive measures through compelling firsthand accounts. It’s a urgent call to shift perspectives and adopt a more effective, compassionate approach — prepare to be engaged and inspired.

A participation code will be provided at the end of the podcast — make sure to write this code down. One you have listened to the podcast and have the participation code, return to this activity in the AANP CE Center. Click on the "Next Steps" button of the activity and:

• Enter the participation code that was provided.
• Complete the post-test.
• Complete the activity evaluation.

• Provider's Pathway Detailed Outreach Flyer
• Provider's Pathway General Outreach Flyer
• Addiction Language Guide

In this first of three podcasts on medical misinformation titled, "Wash Your Hands!: Discerning Facts from the Preposterous vs. Plausible," NP experts Paula Tucker and Ruth Carrico focus on the critical issue of medical misinformation in the United States and its widespread impact. The content aims to help listeners identify medical information they've accepted without credible evidence and apply critical thinking to determine the validity of commonly accepted medical claims. This episode explores the role of biases, health care disparities and social determinants of health in perpetuating misinformation. It emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions, seeking reliable data and recognizing the hallmarks of unfounded health claims. The accompanying educational resource, "A Clinician's Guide to Medical Misinformation – Part 1: Discernment," provides a comprehensive review of misinformation hallmarks, common tactics and real-world clinical scenarios to help health care professionals and patients navigate the complex landscape of health information.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify at least one piece of medical information you have accepted without credible evidence of validity.
2. Apply critical thinking to determine the validity of commonly accepted medical information.

To claim 1.0 contact hours (CH) of continuing education (CE) credit for this program, "Wash Your Hands! Discerning Facts from the Preposterous vs. Plausible," click here to go to the AANP CE Center and complete the post-test and evaluation by entering the participation code provided after listening to the podcast.

Download the clinical resource here.

This podcast and resource tool were supported by an independent medical education grant from Kenvue.