Before the early 20th century, the pharmaceutical industry was like the wild west—largely unregulated and full of risky practices. Dangerous and addictive substances were often used in treatments without much oversight. As we navigate through the ongoing pandemic, I find myself reflecting on how much modern medicine has evolved.
Over the past century, we’ve moved from having blind faith in medicine to a growing skepticism about science and healthcare. This shift raises questions: How did we go from using cocaine lollipops for children’s toothaches to hesitating about vaccines? What does this say about our trust in medicine?
To gain some perspective, let’s travel back to a time when smoking was recommended for asthma, beer for diabetes, and methamphetamines for weight loss. These practices seem shocking now, but they were part of a time when medicine was based on trial and error. Trust was placed in those who conducted these experiments, as they were seen as the keepers of knowledge.
Today, healthcare is divided into specialized fields like pharmacy, medicine, nursing, ophthalmology, and dentistry. However, a century ago, especially in rural areas, these roles often overlapped. A pharmacist might have been the only medical professional available, acting as a doctor or dentist when needed.
This overlap contributed to a blind faith in medicine, as communities relied on a single medical professional. Trust researcher Rachel Botsman describes a “trust stack,” which includes layers necessary for people to embrace new ideas or changes. In the past, this stack was simpler, involving a direct relationship with a local medical professional.
Today, the trust stack has grown to include government organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and advanced technology, alongside various medical professionals. A crack in any of these layers can lead to distrust. For example, someone might believe in disease prevention but distrust their doctor or government health advice.
Recent data shows that over one-third of American adults are hesitant to get vaccinated, despite significant medical advancements. This hesitancy highlights the importance of rebuilding trust in the healthcare system.
The first vaccines involved risky methods like inoculation, where material from an infected person was used to build immunity in others. Today, vaccines are developed with rigorous testing to ensure safety and effectiveness. Yet, vaccine hesitancy remains a challenge.
My friend Cara Santa Maria, a science journalist and healthcare worker, shared her experience with the vaccine. While the injection itself was painless, she experienced normal side effects like soreness and flu-like symptoms. These reactions are signs of the immune system responding, not illness.
Understanding these responses can help alleviate fears and encourage vaccination. It’s crucial to remember the historical context of medical advancements and the severe consequences of diseases that vaccines now prevent.
While skepticism about medicine isn’t new, the current level of vaccine hesitancy is unprecedented. As we reflect on our progress, sharing personal experiences and stories can help rebuild trust. Empathy and open communication are key to moving forward.
If you’ve received the vaccine, consider sharing your experience. By doing so, you contribute to a collective understanding and trust in science and healthcare.
Lastly, I invite you to enjoy “Music for Scientists,” an album that celebrates science and the work of scientists. Created by Patrick Olson, this album is available on various music platforms. Thank you for engaging with this exploration of trust and vaccines.
Imagine you are a pharmacist in the 1800s. Research the types of treatments available during that time and present a short role-play to your classmates, demonstrating how you would have advised a patient. Reflect on how trust in medicine has evolved since then.
Create a diagram of the modern “trust stack” in healthcare. Identify and discuss each layer, such as government organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and medical professionals. Analyze how a breach in any layer could affect public trust in vaccines.
Research and create a timeline of vaccine development from the early inoculation methods to modern vaccines. Highlight key advancements and discuss how these have contributed to public trust or skepticism in vaccines.
Participate in a workshop where you share personal experiences related to healthcare and vaccines. Practice active listening and empathy to understand different perspectives. Discuss how storytelling can be a powerful tool in rebuilding trust in science.
Listen to “Music for Scientists” by Patrick Olson and reflect on how music can celebrate scientific achievements. Discuss in groups how art and science can collaborate to enhance public understanding and trust in medical advancements.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Honestly, prior to the early 20th century, the pharmaceutical industry was quite unregulated, resembling the wild west. There were virtually no rules, and various compounds, including some that were dangerous or highly addictive, were commonly used. As I navigate my days in the 37th month of this pandemic, I find myself reflecting on modern medicine frequently.
In the past century, we’ve shifted from a place of blind faith in medicine to a point where trust in science and medicine is diminishing. My question is, why? How did we transition from giving children cocaine lollipops for toothaches to hesitating about receiving preventative vaccines? What does this reveal about the psychology of trust?
This video is sponsored by the album “Music for Scientists.” You can listen now on your preferred music service. To gain some perspective, I want to travel back in time to when smoking was prescribed for asthma, beer for diabetes, and methamphetamines for weight loss.
Before I continue, I have to participate in a pre-production ritual. Negative… negative! It’s negative. I am the one who manages the old drugs. I think that’s my official title. This is Stephen Hall, whose official title is the curator of the History of Pharmacy Museum at the University of Arizona.
The reality is that most of what we have here could be considered old science. These treatments often lacked the scientific rigor we expect today, with insufficient testing and research. Prior to the early 20th century, the pharmaceutical industry was indeed like the wild west, with minimal regulations.
Everyone knows that old Coca-Cola contained cocaine, but many products at the time included similar compounds. It’s easy to look back with our modern perspective and be shocked, but back then, guesswork and trial and error were part of life, as was trust in those who conducted that guesswork. They were the keepers of knowledge within their communities.
Today, there is a significant separation among health science professions: pharmacy, medicine, nursing, ophthalmology, and dentistry are all distinct fields. A century ago, there was much more overlap among these professions, especially in rural areas where a pharmacist might have been the only medical professional available. Consequently, pharmacists often acted as doctors or dentists out of necessity.
Much of the blind faith in old medicine stemmed from the existence of a single medical professional in a community. Trust researcher Rachel Botsman introduced the concept of a “trust stack,” which consists of layers necessary for people to change their behavior or embrace the unknown.
In the past, there were fewer layers to this stack. There was the idea of needing to protect against infectious disease and the individual medical professional to whom people turned. Fast forward to the 2020s, and this trust stack has expanded to include government organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and advanced technology, along with a multitude of medical professionals.
All it takes to break trust is a crack in one of these layers. For instance, someone who is hesitant about vaccines may trust the idea of preventing disease but distrust their doctor or government organizations. Alarmingly, recent figures indicate that more than one-third of American adults would not get a vaccine, despite significant advancements in medical knowledge.
So, how can we rebuild trust? The very first vaccine involved inoculation, where people would take pus from an infected individual and apply it to someone else, often risking severe illness in hopes of developing immunity.
This is my friend Cara Santa Maria, a science journalist, podcaster, and healthcare worker who has recently received the vaccine. I wanted to know about her experience: did it hurt? Interestingly, she mentioned that the needle itself was not painful, but she experienced soreness at the injection site for a few days after the first dose. The second dose brought more intense symptoms, which are normal responses to the vaccine.
What I found fascinating was Cara’s cognitive response to these side effects. She understood that she did not have COVID-19 or the flu, yet her body reacted as if it were fighting off an invader. This highlights how much of feeling unwell is tied to the immune system’s response.
Even with this understanding, it’s common for people to feel concerned or fearful, which can lead to vaccine hesitancy. However, we have learned how to vaccinate safely and effectively, with minimal harm. It’s essential to remember the historical context of medical advancements and the serious consequences of diseases that were once commonplace.
While people have always questioned old medicine, the level of hesitancy we see today is unprecedented, especially when vaccines are safer than ever. As we reflect on how we arrived at this point, it’s crucial to recognize the progress we’ve made in the last century.
If you have access to the vaccine, please share your experience and the process of getting it. One way to rebuild trust is through empathy and storytelling. As we move forward from this challenging time, we can trust in the scientific process, experts, and each other a little more.
I trust that you will enjoy listening to the new album “Music for Scientists,” which sponsors today’s video. This album is an artistic tribute to science and the work of scientists, created by Patrick Olson, who was one of my first patrons. You can watch the music videos on their YouTube channel or stream the album from your preferred music service. Thank you for watching!
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This version removes specific references to drugs and maintains a more neutral tone while preserving the overall message.
Trust – A firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something, especially in a healthcare context. – Building trust between patients and healthcare providers is essential for effective treatment and patient satisfaction.
Vaccines – Biological preparations that provide active acquired immunity to particular infectious diseases. – University health centers often offer free vaccines to students to prevent outbreaks of contagious diseases on campus.
Healthcare – The organized provision of medical care to individuals or a community. – Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right that can significantly impact a student’s academic performance and well-being.
Skepticism – An attitude of doubt or a disposition to incredulity either in general or toward a particular object, often seen in the context of new medical treatments. – Skepticism about new health guidelines can be addressed through transparent communication and evidence-based research.
Empathy – The ability to understand and share the feelings of another, crucial in patient-caregiver relationships. – Empathy in healthcare professionals can lead to better patient outcomes and increased patient satisfaction.
Communication – The process of exchanging information, crucial for effective healthcare delivery and patient education. – Effective communication between doctors and patients can lead to better adherence to treatment plans.
Psychology – The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context. – Understanding psychology can help healthcare professionals address mental health issues more effectively.
Medicine – The science or practice of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. – Advances in medicine have significantly increased life expectancy and quality of life over the past century.
Immunity – The ability of an organism to resist a particular infection or toxin by the action of specific antibodies or sensitized white blood cells. – Vaccination is a key strategy in building immunity against infectious diseases.
Professionals – Individuals with specialized knowledge and skills in a particular field, such as healthcare, who are often required to adhere to ethical standards. – Healthcare professionals must continually update their knowledge to provide the best care possible to their patients.
