Healthcare mistrust and its impact on doctor-patient relationships
A University of Florida study reveals that mistrust in the healthcare system, fueled by media, significantly damages doctor-patient relationships, especially when patients bring internet-sourced information to visits.
Researchers from the University of Florida Health warn that healthcare system mistrust is negatively impacting doctor-patient relationships, regardless of political affiliation. Findings from their study are summarized in a press release.
UF attributes this growing mistrust to the media. According to a study of more than 2,500 adults, patients who already don’t trust healthcare are “more than six times more likely” to report that their relationship with their doctor suffered “after they brought information from the internet to their medical visit.” Additional key findings:
Only 1/3 of participants reported trusting the healthcare system “a lot.”
Those that do trust healthcare were less likely to note a negative doctor-patient relationship post bringing medical information from the internet to their visit.
Participants that have low trust in the healthcare system were “significantly less likely to report that their doctor was open or respectful during the conversation.”
The study authors emphasize that, “Even if the information a patient finds is inaccurate — and the study did not attempt to judge the accuracy of that material — doctors must now navigate those conversations in ways that preserve their relationship with the patient.”
