Vigilance in an Age of Misinformation: Rebuilding Trust Through Evidence and Connection

In a time when misinformation can spread faster than evidence and when trust in health care feels increasingly fragile, this year’s Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) Annual Conference 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana, offered a timely reminder of both our responsibility and our roots.

Gathering with colleagues from across the country, I was struck by the consistency of a shared theme: the need for clarity, credibility, and connection in how we care for patients. Whether discussing evolving therapies, operational challenges, or the patient experience, there was an undercurrent of vigilance, an understanding that our role extends far beyond the medications we manage. We are interpreters of science in an environment where not all information is created equal.

During the meeting, the HOPA Board had the opportunity to visit the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, home to the historic apothecary of Louis J. Dufilho Jr.¹ Walking through its rooms, you are transported to a time when the boundaries between medicine and experimentation were far less defined. Upstairs, where early “experimentation” took place, the history is both fascinating and unsettling.

Stories tied to that space, whether fully verified or passed down through local lore, underscore just how unregulated and uncertain medicine once was. Accounts describe a later physician associated with the building, James Dupas, as engaging in questionable and even unethical experimentation, with rumors of patients who entered but did not leave, and with remains later discovered on the property.² Even today, visitors recount lingering unease in those upstairs rooms, where experimentation was said to occur, and persistent stories of unexplained experiences continue to circulate.²

Whether one interprets these as ghost stories, folklore, or reflections of a darker chapter in medical history, the symbolism is difficult to ignore. These narratives endure not because of their certainty but because of what they represent: a time when science, ethics, and oversight were still evolving and when patients were vulnerable to both misinformation and misuse. That juxtaposition stayed with me: on one hand, a modern conference grounded in data, multidisciplinary collaboration, and patient-centered care; on the other, a historical reminder of a time when misinformation, assumption, and unchecked practices could shape care in ways we would now find unacceptable. And yet, in a different form, we are still navigating versions of that same challenge.

Nowhere is this more visible than in conversations surrounding vaccines. Vaccine hesitancy is not new but has become more visible, more complex, and more consequential, particularly for the vulnerable oncology populations we serve. Patients often weigh not just scientific data but also fear, personal beliefs, social influences, and a steady stream of conflicting information. In these moments, our role is not simply to recommend; it is to guide.

As oncology pharmacists, we are uniquely positioned to ensure patients make informed decisions grounded in evidence while feeling heard and respected. This requires more than reciting data. It requires understanding the “why” behind hesitancy, addressing misconceptions without dismissal, and translating evolving evidence into clear, actionable guidance. It means being transparent about benefits and risks, acknowledging uncertainty where it exists, and reinforcing the rationale behind our recommendations.

Vigilance, in this context, extends beyond identifying misinformation; it is about actively countering it with trust. Every conversation about vaccines, supportive care, or treatment decisions becomes an opportunity to reinforce that trust. And in a landscape where skepticism can easily take root, consistency across the care team is critical. Our words, tone, and alignment matter. What became clear to me at HOPA and was reinforced in the quiet, reflective halls of the museum is that progress in health care is not just about innovation. It is about accountability. It is about continuously earning trust through transparency, consistency, and an unwavering commitment to evidence-based care.

History reminds us what happens in the absence of vigilance. Our present moment challenges us to uphold it, not only in how we practice but also in how we communicate, advocate, and lead.

References

1. New Orleans Pharmacy Museum. Accessed April 4, 2026. https://pharmacymuseum.org/
2. Haunted pharmacy museum in New Orleans. Legends of America. Updated February 2026. Accessed April 4, 2026. https://www.legendsofamerica.com/haunted-pharmacy-museum/