Who’s Really Leading Healthcare—Doctors, AI, or the Algorithm?

Healthcare Trust in Crisis, AI Therapy Risks, and the Oscars’ Boldest Ad

The No Normal Show never shies away from the uncomfortable. This week, we tackle the Oscars’ most controversial ad, AI’s growing role in mental health care, and the alarming decline in trust in doctors.

The Oscars and a Pharma Power Move

Amidst the glitz and glam of the Oscars, one ad stopped us in our tracks. Eli Lilly’s bold tagline, “Real medicine doesn’t need your faith,” felt like a mic drop in the ongoing war over healthcare trust. Was it a diss track aimed at alternative medicine, a stand against misinformation, or simply a misunderstood message?
Some viewers saw it as an aggressive stance against medical skepticism, while others were left scratching their heads, unsure of what Eli Lilly was really trying to say. One thing is clear: pharma is getting bolder. Between this and Pfizer’s splashy Super Bowl ad, it’s obvious that the industry is taking a more aggressive approach to rebuilding trust in a time when trust in healthcare is at an all-time low.

The AI Therapist You Didn’t Know You Had

Speaking of trust issues—Teladoc’s BetterHelp is under fire for allegedly letting AI pose as human therapists. According to reports, some patients seeking therapy believed they were speaking to licensed professionals, only to find out later that AI was behind their responses. The fallout? Teladoc’s stock dropped 30%, and the American Psychological Association is now calling for federal regulation of AI therapy chatbots.

AI’s potential in mental health support is undeniable—it can provide 24/7 access and lead with empathy. But as AI models get smarter, they also get riskier. Unlike human therapists, AI doesn’t always challenge dangerous thoughts. Instead, it often mirrors users’ beliefs, which can be dangerous when dealing with mental health crises. If AI therapy is here to stay, the question remains: How do we regulate it before more lives are at risk?

Trust in Doctors is Crumbling

For years, doctors and nurses were the last stronghold of public trust. Not anymore. A recent Wall Street Journal report shows that trust in doctors has plummeted from 67% in 2021 to just 53% today—the largest drop of any profession. Why? The frustration isn’t solely about medical expertise—it’s about the system. Endless scheduling issues, surprise bills, rushed appointments, and a lack of transparency have left patients feeling unheard. And when people lose trust in doctors, they turn elsewhere—whether it’s TikTok, alternative medicine, or influencers with no medical background.

This shift is fueling what we call in Joe Public 2030, the rise of health sects, —ideologically driven communities forming around alternative health beliefs. The more people distrust traditional healthcare, the more they seek their own truth, sometimes at the cost of their own well-being.

The Takeaways

• Pharma is getting bolder – Eli Lilly’s ad proves that companies are willing to take risks in how they message medicine.
• AI therapy is a double-edged sword – It can be empathetic and accessible, but without regulation, it poses serious risks.
• Doctors are losing trust fast – And it’s not just politics. The entire healthcare experience is making people turn away from traditional medical advice.
• The rise of health sects is accelerating – When people don’t trust the system, they find their own path—often influenced by social media, alternative medicine, or political beliefs.

The cracks in the healthcare system aren’t new, but they’re widening fast. If pharma is going bold and AI is playing therapist, where do we go from here? Is it time for doctors to rethink how they engage with patients? Should AI therapy be more tightly regulated? And how can healthcare brands navigate a world where trust is the rarest commodity?

We want to hear from you. Share your thoughts at nonormal@bpdhealthcare.com and subscribe for more insights. Until next time, push beyond the normal—because the future of healthcare won’t wait.

Read the transcript