Trust during COVID-19: Which factors matter most?

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Public Health Policy
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted global healthcare systems.
• Understanding public trust is crucial for effective healthcare delivery and policy.
• Previous research has not comprehensively explored global trust factors in healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a preliminary exploration of key factors influencing trust in healthcare systems globally.
• To identify specific elements that contribute to or detract from public confidence in healthcare.
• To analyze these factors in the context of the post-COVID-19 pandemic environment.

Main Methods:

• A cross-national study involving participants from ten countries.
• A two-part questionnaire assessing healthcare system trust on a 1-5 scale.
• Evaluation of ten trust-related factors and four key pillars: benevolence, reliability, competence, and predictability.

Main Results:

• Correlation analyses identified honesty, consistency, and reasonableness as the most impactful factors.
• These factors significantly influenced trust across the entire study population.
• Variations in trust factor impact were observed at both global and national levels.

Conclusions:

• Honesty, consistency, and reasonableness are primary drivers of trust in healthcare systems.
• These findings provide a preliminary basis for strengthening healthcare system trust globally.
• Further research is warranted to explore nuances at national levels and inform targeted interventions.