Patient perceptions of trust formation in the surgeon-patient relationship: A thematic analysis

Norman D Hogikyan; Lulia A Kana; Andrew G Shuman; Janice I Firn

doi:10.1016/j.pec.2021.02.002

Patient perceptions of trust formation in the surgeon-patient relationship: A thematic analysis

Patient Educ Couns. 2021 Sep;104(9):2338-2343. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.02.002. Epub 2021 Feb 5.

Authors

Norman D Hogikyan¹, Lulia A Kana², Andrew G Shuman³, Janice I Firn⁴

Affiliations

¹ University of Michigan Medical School, 1301 Catherine St., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA; Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 2800 Plymouth Road, Bldg. 14, G016, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA. Electronic address: nhogikya@med.umich.edu.
² University of Michigan Medical School, 1301 Catherine St., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
³ University of Michigan Medical School, 1301 Catherine St., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA; Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 2800 Plymouth Road, Bldg. 14, G016, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
⁴ University of Michigan Medical School, 1301 Catherine St., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA; Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 2800 Plymouth Road, Bldg. 14, G016, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA; Department of Learning Health Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, 1111 E. Catherine St. Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.

PMID: 33583655
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.02.002

Abstract

Objective: Trust is crucial to the success of any personal or professional relationship. Literature on trust in the surgeon-patient relationship has been largely explored through quantitative methodologies, primarily examining why trust may or may not exist. We aimed to qualitatively elucidate the mechanisms of how trust develops between otolaryngologists and their patients.

Methods: Patients were recruited by surgery scheduling staff following an outpatient visit where a decision had been made to proceed with surgery at a tertiary academic medical center. We used qualitative realist thematic analysis of phone interviews to explore participants' (n = 17) perceptions and conceptualization of trust formation within the surgeon-patient relationship.

Results: Thematic analysis revealed three themes regarding trust formation in the surgeon-patient relationship: 1) Trust Across Various Contexts; 2) Impact of Prior Knowledge; and 3) Interpersonal Connection during the Clinical Encounter.

Conclusion: An interpersonal surgeon-patient connection is crucial to the formation of trust. Trust is also influenced by surgeon and institutional reputation and witnessed surgeon interactions with the healthcare team.

Practice implications: Patients perceive trust in a surgeon as carrying unique importance. To optimize conditions for trust development in this context, surgical care paradigms should promote meaningful preoperative interpersonal surgeon-patient relationships and positive surgeon and institutional reputations.

Keywords: Bioethics; Qualitative methods; Shared decision-making; Surgeon-Patient relationship; Trust.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Humans
Patient Care Team
Perception
Qualitative Research
Surgeons*
Trust*

Grants and funding

TL1 TR002242/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States