The Impact of Medical or Health-Related Internet Searches on Patient Compliance

Health-related Internet searches have been associated with cyberchondria and can impact how patients receive and react to medical advice. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationships between patient compliance and the experiences of 191 Internet information seekers from >12 countries and 27 occupations, surveyed online between 2015 and 2016 using the ‘Dr. Net' questionnaire. After Internet search, 75% agreed with the diagnosis given by their doctor and 83% remained compliant with their doctor's orders. Statistical analysis using Kruskal-Wallis H test (“one-way ANOVA on ranks”) and Spearman correlation coefficient revealed strong positive correlations (p < 0.001) between compliance and each of the following: finding the search helpful (86%), being satisfied with Internet information (71%), becoming more cautious about health (60%), finding the information provided by their doctor comprehensible (71%), and agreement with physician. Recommendations are discussed for increasing ehealth literacy and patient-physician trust with improved online medical information.

Examining patient trust towards physicians between clinical departments in a Chinese hospital

The purpose of this cross-sectional survey study is to quantitatively examine the differences in patient trust towards physicians between four different clinical departments in a Chinese hospital. Using a validated modified Chinese version of the Wake Forest Physician Trust Scale, we measured patient trust in each department, and also collected data on patient demographics. A total of 436 patients or family members were surveyed in the departments of emergency medicine, pediatrics, cardiology, and orthopedic surgery. Significant differences were found between the departments, especially between pediatrics (trust score 43.23, range 11–50) and emergency medicine and cardiology (trust scores 45.29 and 45.79, respectively with range of 11–50). The average total score across all four departments was 44.72. There are indications that specifically comparing departments, such as patient demographics or department structure, could be helpful in tailoring patient care to improve physician-patient relationships.

Causal Effect Analysis of Demographic Concordance on Patient Perception of Physician Trust and Respect in an Emergency Care Setting

Objectives: Patient perceptions of physician trust and respect are important factors for patient satisfaction evaluations. We aim to determine the causal effect on patient-physician demographic concordance and patient perceptions of physician trust and respect in an emergency care setting. A near real-time patient satisfaction survey was sent via telephone to patients within 72 hours of discharge from an Emergency Department (ED). Patient-trust-physician (PTP) and physician-show-respect (PSR) scores were measured. Patient and physician demographics (age, gender, race, and ethnicity) were matched. We employed genetic matching to assign patients appropriately to the treatment (demographic concordance) and control (demographic discordance) groups. Causal effect was analyzed to determine the direct effect of patient-physician demographic concordance on PTP/PSR scores. Result: We enrolled 1815 patients. The treatment effect of patient-physician demographic concordance on patient perception of physician trust and respect ranged from -0.02 to -0.2 (p>0.05). In general, patient-physician demographic concordance has minimal effect on patient perceptions of physician trust and respect.

Dissatisfaction with family members’ medical care: the relationship with trust in personal physicians and physicians generally in Japan

Negative experiences with medical care have long-term effects on family members’ attitudes and emotions. However, the impact of family members’ experiences on patients’ trust in their physicians and in physicians generally is poorly understood. We aimed to quantify these associations. Our cross-sectional online survey, conducted in Japan during April 2020, involved adults with non-communicable diseases (cardiac disease, diabetes, cancer, depression, and rheumatic disease). The main exposure variable was dissatisfaction with the medical care that family members had received. The main outcomes were patients’ (N=661) trust in their personal physicians and in physicians generally. The study adopted the Japanese version of the Abbreviated Wake Forest Physician Trust Scales. We translated and validated both 5-item scales (general and individual physician trust) for the study. The results showed a lower rating for trust in physicians generally compared to trust in the respondent’s personal physician. Furthermore, dissatisfaction with a family member’s medical care was associated with lower trust in physicians generally. Interestingly, dissatisfaction with a family member’s care was also associated with lower trust in the respondent’s personal physician, but the magnitude of this association was weaker. The lower trust in personal physicians may be mediated by reduced trust in physicians generally. We suggest that physicians enquire about past patients’ negative experiences, including dissatisfaction with family members’ medical care, to repair hidden loss of trust, when they sense that patients doubt them or physicians generally.

Determination of the relationship between physician trust, medical mistrust, and self-confidence in the health services provided in Turkey

Objectives: A sense of trust is of great importance for professional professions. Failure to establish trust, especially in an industry where information asymmetry is too high, such as the health sector, also poses important problems for both employees and society. In this study, we aimed to identify variables that affect the distrust of the health system and trust in the physician. Material and Method: This study was carried out in the descriptive design. The study group consisted of 561 people living in different cities of Turkey and whose ages ranged from 18-70 years. “Personal data form”, “ Medical mistrust scale”, “Physician trust scale” and “generalized trust inventory infrastructure scale” were used as data collection tools prepared by the researcher. As a data collection method, the test method performed in a computer environment was used. One-way analysis of variance from parametric test statistics and Pearson correlation analysis test statistics were used to compare data. P<0.050 and p<0.001 were determined for the significance level. Results: In our study, medical mistrust decreased as trust in the physician increased. As a person's level of self-trust increases, medical mistrust increases, and confidence in the physician also decrease. Dissatisfaction with the health service increases medical mistrust, while also reducing trust in the physician. Based on the preferred type of hospital, the level of medical mistrust of patients going to private hospitals is greater than the level of medical mistrust of patients going to public hospitals. Conclusion: This study reveals the importance of trust in the health sector and the factors that affect it. More detailed studies on practices that will increase confidence in the importance of this issue and measures that will reduce distrust will make a great contribution to this issue.

Patient-Reported Reasons for Not Using Primary Prevention Statin Therapy

Almost half of patients who meet American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) criteria for statin therapy are untreated. We aimed to evaluate patient-reported reasons for not using guideline-recommended statin therapy in a public healthcare system. Achieving this goal is key to addressing gaps in care and reducing preventable cardiovascular morbidity. We surveyed patients who met 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines for statin therapy but were not using statins. The survey probed domains of patient knowledge regarding cardiovascular health and benefits of statins, barriers to use, physician trust, and interest in cardiovascular care. Among 71 patients eligible for guideline-recommended statin therapy but not currently taking statins, 49 (69%) had a high school education or lower, 41 (58%) reported that they were unaware they should be prescribed a statin and 49 (69%) were unaware of the benefits of statins. Almost all patients, 70 (99%), reported caring about their cardiovascular health, 61 (86%) reported that they had a high level of trust in their physician, and 51 (72%) reported a willingness to follow their physician’s advice. Despite interest in cardiovascular health, awareness of benefits of statin therapy was low and knowledge of recommended statin therapy was low. Increasing patients’ awareness of their eligibility through systematic testing and linkage to statin therapy, along with education, may increase statin use among patients recommended for therapy.

Research on Management of Doctor-Patient Risk and Status of the Perceived Behaviors of Physician Trust in the Patient in China: New Perspective of Management of Doctor-Patient Risk

Based on the situation of physician trust in the patient (PTP), we explored the differences in perceived behaviors of physician trust in the patient (PBPTP). We used the PTP scale as a research tool, taking physicians of the hospitals in Anhui region as the research object to carry out the investigation of PTP, Python software was applied to explore the status of PTP, and the differences of PBPTP distribution rate with different demographic characteristic variables were compared by testing based on theory of planned behavior. We get six results as follows: (1) the overall PTP level was low, and nearly 50% of doctors doubt the integrity of patients. “Patients will not be driven by improper interests” becomes the most reluctant problem or the most distrustful option for doctors. (2) In terms of patients’ participation in disease management and regular follow-up visits, PTP rate in male was higher than that in female (Ps < 0.018). (3) PBPTP was affected by age (Ps < 0.017). (4) In terms of the behavior of patients who did not follow the treatment plans, the PTP rate of postgraduates and above physicians was higher than that of undergraduates and below (P=0.017). (5) In terms of providing diagnosis and treatment information, timely notification of illness, medication information, doctor-patient communication behaviors, and compliance with doctors’ treatment plans, PBPTP was affected by doctors’ professional titles and annual income levels (Ps ≤ 0.001), At the same time, PTP levels of different professional titles showed differences in patients’ respect for doctors’ time and bottom line (Ps ≤ 0.001). (6) In terms of doctor-patient communication behaviors, PBPTP was affected by physician departments (P≤0.001). Hence, demographic characteristics variable may be one of the factors affecting PBPTP, and PBPTP is associated with doctor-patient risk. It makes sense for us to propose a new model of physician-patient risk management from the perspective of PTP about “official-individual-social” triple action.