Declining Trust in Physicians and Hospitals During COVID-19: How It Could Impact Future Health Outcomes
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A recent study, based on over half a million survey responses between April 2020 and January 2024, reveals a significant decline in trust in physicians and hospitals among U.S. adults throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This decrease in trust was observed across all sociodemographic groups and was associated with lower vaccination rates for COVID-19 and influenza, independent of political affiliation or general trust in science.
The decline in trust could have lasting public health implications, particularly affecting vaccination compliance and other positive health behaviors. The study also highlighted that while trust in physicians remains relatively high, the erosion of this trust during the pandemic raises concerns about future health outcomes. Efforts to restore trust in the medical profession may be crucial for improving public health in the post-pandemic era.
Trust in Physicians and Hospitals During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a 50-State Survey of US Adults (Perlis M.D., MSc., JAMA, 7/31).
