Rational trust in resilient health systems

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Systems Research
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• The 2014-15 Ebola epidemic underscored the critical role of public trust in health authorities during crises.
• Post-epidemic focus on health system resilience often overlooks the theoretical underpinnings of trust.
• Existing literature acknowledges trust but lacks sustained theoretical engagement with its models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for deeper theoretical examination of trust models within health system resilience literature.
• To analyze the application and assumptions of rational trust models in this context.
• To evaluate the implications of these models for trust-building strategies during public health emergencies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and theoretical analysis.
• Focus on rational models of trust.
• Examination of assumptions within these models and their impact on trust generation.

Main Results:

• Rational trust models are frequently invoked in health system resilience literature.
• Unexamined assumptions within rational trust models may undermine strategies aimed at building trust.
• This can consequently impact the effectiveness of health system resilience during acute emergencies.

Conclusions:

• A more robust theoretical engagement with trust is necessary for enhancing health system resilience.
• Current reliance on rational trust models may be insufficient for building public trust during crises.
• Further research is needed to explore alternative or refined models of trust for public health preparedness.