Constructing a Conceptual Model for Measuring Physician-Patient Trust: Integrating Theory and Research

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Healthcare Management
• Medical Ethics

Background:

• Trust is fundamental to the physician-patient relationship, impacting health outcomes.
• Existing models of trust lack comprehensive dimensions for patient-physician dynamics.
• Sociological theories offer insights into trust, familiarity, and systemic confidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a theoretically grounded model of patient trust in physicians.
• To integrate sociological theories with empirical measures of trust.
• To guide future development of trust measurement tools in healthcare.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical-empirical mapping of indicators from existing trust measurement tools.
• Abductive analytical approach integrating sociological theories and empirical dimensions.
• Literature review drawing on Luhmann, Seligman, Weber, and Carter.

Main Results:

• Identified seven dimensions of patient trust: self-disclosure, communication competence, interpersonal competence, perspective-taking, fidelity, technical competence, and fairness.
• Found self-disclosure and perspective-taking are key theoretical dimensions but underrepresented in current empirical measures.
• Proposed familiarity as a conceptual bridge between system confidence and interpersonal trust.

Conclusions:

• The proposed model offers a comprehensive framework for understanding patient trust in physicians.
• Highlights the need for enhanced measurement tools incorporating dimensions like self-disclosure and perspective-taking.
• This conceptual framework aims to advance the study and measurement of physician trust.