Depending on which age group they belong to, 22 to 37 percent of Americans say they don't trust their healthcare provider to make the right decisions for them, according to research released by branding agency Monigle.
In partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Society for Health Care Strategy and Market Development, Monigle surveyed 30,138 respondents who were the healthcare decision-makers for their household.
All respondents had received medical care in the past two years and had health insurance, with 70 percent of them having private insurance and 30 percent being enrolled in a government plan, excluding Medicaid. The survey was conducted from November through December in 2020.
Below are three ways healthcare providers can build more trust among their patients, according to the report.
- Offer choices. Because patients want to feel like they have a sense of control and choice in their healthcare, they tend to place more trust in providers that allow them to consider alternative treatments as possibilities.
- Be transparent. Because making healthcare decisions can be confusing for some patients, they place more trust in providers that give clear, trustworthy information.
- Listen. Patients place more trust in providers that listen to their concerns and express empathy.