Trust in the health care professional and health outcome: A meta-analysis

Key Points

• This meta-analysis investigates the relationship between patient trust in health care professionals and associated health outcomes.
• Conducted a meta-analysis of existing studies on trust and health outcomes.
• Evaluated patient-reported behaviors, symptom prevalence, quality of life, and treatment satisfaction.
• Identified evidence of upward bias in the summarized results.
• Patients with higher trust in health care professionals exhibited more beneficial health behaviors.
• Higher trust was associated with fewer symptoms and improved quality of life.
• Patients reported greater satisfaction with treatment when trust levels were elevated.

Abstract