Misinformation feat. Paging Dr. Fran: Episode 210

What happens when TikTok starts influencing your exam room?

In this episode of Drive Time Debrief, we sit down with Dr. Fran—board-certified OB/GYN, residency faculty, hospital medical director, and the voice behind Paging Dr. Fran—to talk about what it really looks like to practice medicine in the age of social media.

With over a million followers, Dr. Fran is on the frontlines of combating medical misinformation online. But what happens when that misinformation follows patients into the clinic?

We dive into the growing tension between evidence-based medicine and algorithm-driven content—and how physicians can respond with empathy, clarity, and confidence (even in a 10-minute visit).

This conversation is real, relevant, and deeply validating for any physician who has ever thought:
“Wait… where did you hear that?”

💡 What We Cover

• Why misinformation exploded during and after COVID

• The difference between misinformation vs. disinformation

• How social media is reshaping the physician–patient relationship

• Practical scripts to respond when patients say: “I saw this on TikTok…”

• Why validation (not dismissal) is the key to rebuilding trust

• The emotional toll of misinformation on physician wellness and burnout

• Why women’s health is especially vulnerable to viral misinformation

• How physicians can ethically and safely show up online

• Simple ways to contribute (even if you don’t want to be an influencer 👀)

🧠 Key Takeaways

✨ Patients aren’t the problem—they’re trying to understand their health
✨ “I hear you” can be more powerful than “that’s incorrect”
✨ You don’t need more time—you need better connection in the time you have
✨ Physicians don’t all need to create content—but we do need credible voices online
✨ Trust is built in seconds… and lost just as quickly

🔗 Resources & Links

• Follow Dr. Fran: @pagingdrfran (Instagram & TikTok)

• Visit her website: pagingdrfran.com

• Share trusted creators with patients using your after-visit summaries (dot phrases 👏)

💬 Join the Conversation

Have you had to navigate misinformation with patients?
We’d love to hear your experience.

📧 Email us: podcast@thewholephysician.com 
📱 Follow us: @thewholephysician

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It helps more physicians find us—and reminds them they’re not alone 🤍

💛 Final Thought

You are whole.
You are a gift to medicine.
And the work you do matters.