Trust in the health care professional and health outcome: A meta-analysis

Summary

Objective To examine whether patients’ trust in the health care professional is associated with health outcomes. Study selection We searched 4 major electronic databases for studies that reported quantitative data on the association between trust in the health care professional and health outcome. We screened the full-texts of 400 publications and included 47 studies in our meta-analysis. Data extraction and data synthesis We conducted random effects meta-analyses and meta-regressions and calculated correlation coefficients with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Two interdependent researchers assessed the quality of the included studies using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. Results Overall, we found a small to moderate correlation between trust and health outcomes (r = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.19–0.29). Subgroup analyses revealed a moderate correlation between trust and self-rated subjective health outcomes (r = 0.30, 0.24–0.35). Correlations between trust and objective (r = -0.02, -0.08–0.03) as well as observer-rated outcomes (r = 0.10, -0.16–0.36) were non-significant. Exploratory analyses showed a large correlation between trust and patient satisfaction and somewhat smaller correlations with health behaviours, quality of life and symptom severity. Heterogeneity was small to moderate across the analyses. Conclusions From a clinical perspective, patients reported more beneficial health behaviours, less symptoms and higher quality of life and to be more satisfied with treatment when they had higher trust in their health care professional. There was evidence for upward bias in the summarized results. Prospective studies are required to deepen our understanding of the complex interplay between trust and health outcomes.

Key Points

• 1Patients' trust in health care professionals is linked to better health outcomes
• 2A small to moderate correlation was found between trust and health outcomes
• 3Trust influences patient satisfaction and health behaviors positively
• 4Future studies should explore the complexities of trust and health outcomes further
• 5Methodological rigor is essential due to varying study qualities in the included research

Related articles

• Microanatomy and Embryology: Cytoplasmic Organelles and Membrane Transport

  This document outlines the key concepts of microanatomy and embryology, focusing specifically on cytoplasmic organelles, their functions, membrane transport mechanisms, and cellular signal reception and transduction.

• Microanatomy & Embryology: Microscopy & Microtechnique

  This document outlines the fundamentals of microscopy and microtechnique as part of a course in microanatomy and embryology. It includes definitions, types of microscopes, and essential microtechniques for histological examination.

• Microanatomy & Embryology: Histology of Cartilage

  This document outlines a lecture on the microanatomy and histology of cartilage, designed for students in medical education. It covers various types of cartilage, their cellular makeup, growth mechanisms, and clinical correlations, particularly with osteoarthritis.

• Microanatomy & Embryology: Histology of Bone

  This document provides a comprehensive outline on the histology of bone, detailing its microstructure, types, cells, and functions, along with clinical correlations and learning objectives for students.

• Microanatomy & Embryology: Embryology of Cartilage

  This document outlines the embryological development of cartilage, focusing on the processes of endochondral ossification and the role of mesenchyme and chondrocytes in cartilage formation.