Podcast Summary
Podcast: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast
Episode: Tackling Medical Misinformation with Ashley Alker, MD, M.Sc., Emergency Medicine Physician and Author
Date: November 30, 2025
Host: Molly Gamble
Guest: Dr. Ashley Alker
Episode Overview
This episode focuses on the rising problem of medical misinformation, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, and explores proactive solutions developed by Dr. Ashley Alker. Dr. Alker—a practicing emergency medicine physician, author, and founder of the nonprofit Meaningful Media—discusses her mission to bridge the gap between accurate health information and content creators, her experiences consulting for Hollywood, the power of storytelling and humor in medicine, and advice for physicians interested in public communication.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Origins and Purpose of Meaningful Media
(00:16–04:04)
- Dr. Alker was motivated by the overwhelming spread of misinformation during the COVID-19 crisis.
- Realized the "people creating the messaging...are often not the people who have necessarily the health care background" (Dr. Alker, 01:40).
- Meaningful Media connects public health experts with creators (like influencers, journalists, artists) to craft scientifically accurate messages.
- Emphasis on recognition for responsible online health influencers and facilitating responsible storytelling in the media.
Notable Quote:
“Lies are very captivating and this is just a universal truth. Especially when the truth is we don’t know, that's not very helpful."
— Dr. Alker (02:30)
- Reference to an MIT study: Medical misinformation spreads six times faster than factual news on platforms like Twitter.
2. Nuances and Dangers of Medical Misinformation
(04:04–07:08)
- The stakes of medical misinformation are “life and death in some situations.” It’s dangerously easy for influencers to share false medical claims without responsibility.
- Health advice should come from universities and governmental organizations, not uncredentialed individuals online.
- Encourages listeners to vet the source: "Who is this person? What are they talking about? What is their expertise?" (Dr. Alker, 06:15).
“Not that I think anyone should be getting their health on the Internet. I think it's a very dangerous place to get health information...”
— Dr. Alker (06:06)
3. Consulting for Television, Film, and Passive Public Health Education
(07:08–10:28)
- Dr. Alker has advised on numerous shows, including "Handmaid’s Tale," "Station 19," and "The Purge."
- Emphasizes gratitude toward creators who “have a lot of power” and invest in accurate medical storytelling.
- Many consulted projects are not medical dramas but have medical storylines requiring accuracy.
- Cites working with notable figures like Derek Luke and JJ Abrams.
“Television has both a responsibility and an opportunity...if you see CPR done correctly on television, you’re more likely to do it accurately.”
— Dr. Alker (09:18)
- Notes the real-world impact of TV medical myths, like the belief that someone with a concussion shouldn’t sleep, which originates from a misapplied medical practice.
4. Storytelling, Art, and Her Book '99 Ways to Die'
(10:28–14:18)
- The book stemmed from ER journal entries and was designed to be accessible and engaging for the general public.
- Blends real (anonymized) stories, humor, medical facts, and sociopolitical context for each topic.
“That is the genius of art, is that we can use things like storytelling to really create something that people can remember.”
— Dr. Alker (12:20)
- Example explored: The historical reality of U.S. leprosy colonies, which persisted into the late 20th century (13:50).
- Book is structured for “the mentality of today, which is the 15 second news cycle.”
5. Historical Relevance of Disease
(14:18–15:19)
- Many diseases have overlooked or surprising ongoing relevance, like leprosy existing in over 120 countries today.
- Dr. Alker provides historical and cultural perspectives often unknown even to well-informed listeners.
6. Humor as a Survival and Educational Tool in Medicine
(15:19–17:48)
- Humor is essential in the ER both for coping and for connecting with patients, especially in high-stress, uncertain situations.
- Patients often initiate humor themselves as a coping strategy in dire conditions.
- Humor can make difficult medical information more digestible and reduce power differentials between doctor and patient.
“It's a coping mechanism that we in the emergency department really relate to...sometimes on really bad days, humor is all these people have.”
— Dr. Alker (16:38)
7. Advice for Physicians Interested in Storytelling and Media
(17:48–20:21)
- Encourages young physicians to pursue writing, op-eds, media consulting, and communications programs now common in schools of public health.
- Meaningful Media offers opportunities to connect creators with medical professionals; all specialties welcome.
- Storytelling can be used at any scale—even one-on-one with patients—to improve understanding and trust.
“It can be something that you use in your day to day with your patients.”
— Dr. Alker (19:55)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On why misinformation outpaces truth online:
“Lies are very captivating...Misinformation online...travels six times faster than any factual news.”
— Dr. Alker (02:25) -
On responsibility for health information:
“When you’re talking about health information, this is a difference between life and death in some situations.”
— Dr. Alker (05:14) -
On storytelling’s power:
“The genius of art is that we can use things like storytelling to really create something that people can remember, even though maybe it’s not something that they studied for 15 years.”
— Dr. Alker (12:20) -
On humor in medicine:
“It’s a coping mechanism that we in the emergency department really relate to...sometimes on really bad days, humor is all these people have.”
— Dr. Alker (16:38) -
On advice for aspiring physician-communicators:
“Just try it, try storytelling. You never know what lives you might save with the information that you have.”
— Dr. Alker (19:19)
Important Segment Timestamps
- [00:16] – Dr. Alker introduces the origins of Meaningful Media
- [02:10–02:55] – Why misinformation spreads faster than truth
- [06:00–06:40] – The importance of credentialed sources in health communication
- [07:36–09:18] – Consulting for TV/film and passive public health education via entertainment
- [10:58–12:50] – Stories, art, and engagement in her book
- [13:50–14:30] – Leprosy colonies as a historical example
- [16:01–17:20] – Humor’s function in high-stress medical settings
- [18:45–19:55] – Tangible advice for physicians entering media and storytelling
Takeaways
- Medical misinformation is accelerating, fueled by social media and now AI; actionable, accurate communication is essential.
- Bringing public health experts and creators together is a promising strategy to counteract viral falsehoods.
- Stories—and humor—make medical knowledge memorable, human, and accessible, both in mass media and at the bedside.
- Physicians who wish to widen their influence beyond clinical care are encouraged to engage with media, writing, and direct community communication.
- Dr. Alker’s book, "99 Ways to Die," exemplifies a blend of narrative, history, humor, and robust medical education.
Resources Mentioned:
- Meaningful Media Nonprofit
- Book: "99 Ways to Die" by Dr. Ashley Alker
Contact:
- For physicians interested in collaborating with creators, visit meaningfulmedia.org
Episode ends at [20:42].