As medicine evolves and headlines change overnight, one thing remains steady: evidence-based, commonsense advice from your family physician.
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As a family physician who sees patients throughout their entire lifespan, I know one thing to be true: Every person who walks into the exam room is trying to do the very best for themselves and their family. I also know that information floods our screens every day. Some of it is true, some of it is a stretch or taken out of context, and some of it isn’t accurate at all. So, let’s get one thing straight: Your family physician is your trusted partner in care. From vaccines to mental health to all your preventive care, family physicians want to help you make the best decisions for you and your loved ones. Here’s what that truly means.
A relationship cemented in community
I practiced rural family medicine for 20 years. I was deeply entrenched in my community. My patients were my neighbors. I delivered babies and years later I gave those same kids their kindergarten vaccines. I’ve been there for first words, tough diagnoses, moments of fear and moments of hope. I’ve talked people through screenings and immunizations and opened doors to conversations about mental health that changed lives for the better. I am grateful, above all, for the trust my patients placed in me.
Trust isn’t just a feeling; it’s the foundation of every medical relationship. In an era where trust is tossed around in the headlines, especially in the context of public health, it still means something real in medicine. And it’s not just my experience; data backs this up. The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer found that 82% of respondents trust their doctor more than any other source of medical information, including the internet and family and friends. The expertise your physician brings and the self-advocacy you bring to appointments are what helps us navigate the uncertainty and questions —big or small.
Why trusted information matters now more than ever
The stakes have never felt higher. For the first time in decades, measles outbreaks threaten the lives of children across the country. New research shows that 1 in 6 U.S. parents are rejecting vaccine recommendations. Respiratory viruses are surging this season. At the same time, mixed messages at the federal and state levels add to the confusion and make prevention feel harder than it should be.
As medicine evolves and headlines change overnight, one thing remains steady: evidence-based, commonsense advice from your family physician. We’re here to help you block out the noise and guide you toward what’s best for you and your loved ones.
Don’t wait for a crisis or let uncertainty paralyze you. The best investment you can make in your family’s future is a relationship with your primary care doctor. Make the appointment. Ask the questions. Build the trust that will carry you through every season of health and challenge. After all, that’s what we’re here for.
Dr. Jen Brull, FAAFP, is a family physician in Fort Collins, Colorado, and the board chair of the American Academy of Family Physicians.