Understanding the impact of conflicting health advice on public trust in health experts and the role of physicians in restoring trust.
Lack of trust in reliable health sources and the spread of misinformation can have deadly consequences, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and the resurgence of preventable diseases.
A study in Frontiers in Medicine analyzed data from 5,842 adults in the US to understand the factors influencing trust in health information.
Doctors were found to be the most trusted source of health information, followed by scientists and government health agencies, with social media being the least trusted.
Individuals who perceived conflicts or changes in health recommendations showed lower trust in scientists and health agencies, but not in doctors, highlighting the need to address public confusion.
To rebuild trust, the study suggests leveraging the patient-physician relationship to ensure better health outcomes and restore trust in governmental health agencies.
A study published in Frontiers in Medicine examined the factors contributing to a lack of trust in reliable sources of health information. Researchers found that individuals who perceived conflict among experts and frequent changes in health recommendations were more likely to have lower trust in health information provided by government health agencies. Doctors were identified as the most trusted source of information, with scientists and government health agencies ranking lower on the trust scale. The study suggested leveraging the patient-physician relationship to restore trust in governmental health agencies and improve overall public health.
The study analyzed responses from a nationally representative sample of over 5,000 adults in the US regarding trust in medical experts and perceived uncertainty in health recommendations. It was found that individuals who perceived inconsistencies in expert recommendations had less trust in scientists and health agencies, but their trust in doctors remained high. The study highlighted the importance of patient education and recommended that individual physicians be more involved in disseminating agency recommendations to patients. Ultimately, the results suggest that restoring trust in health experts and agencies, as well as emphasizing the patient-physician relationship, could help address confusion and improve public health outcomes.
