Building Patient Trust: Best Practices, Strategies, and Innovations

Patient trust is undeniably a cornerstone of effective healthcare delivery, influencing everything from patient engagement and treatment adherence to positive health outcomes and retention. As healthcare becomes increasingly complex and demanding, the role of building trust in the care setting cannot be understated—it is essential to repair the damage the COVID-19 pandemic has done to how healthcare is perceived by the general population.

From misinformation and contradicting health recommendations to a tense political climate, there have been an increasing number of barriers to not only building but maintaining trust in healthcare.

The 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer, an annual survey that measures global trust levels across institutions like government, business, media, and non-governmental organizations, found that 41% of people globally have regretted a health decision based on misinformation. Additionally, the same report found that 2 in 3 people say that political polarization has had a negative impact on their health, further underscoring the importance of building trust.

In fact, studies have shown that higher trust in healthcare yields more positive health outcomes, increased adherence to treatment plans, and even more likelihood to participate in preventive care, such as an annual checkup or routine physical exam. With commitment to patient safety and dedication to improving the healthcare experience, providers can overcome these challenges by utilizing best practices and strategies for building trust.

Healthcare organizations that emphasize the importance of patient trust often experience greater patient satisfaction, loyalty, and overall health outcomes. However, building and maintaining trust requires time and dedication to transparency, empathy, and reliable care.

One of the most important strategies to building trust is clear, consistent communication. Furthermore, implementing active listening strategies helps create a positive and engaging atmosphere in which the patient feels their voice is truly heard.

In addition to communication, empathy is also a core component of building trust. Patients should feel that their provider understands them and is acting in their best interest, regardless of their personal beliefs. In fact, according to a study by the British Journal of General Practice, physicians who scored higher on empathy scales saw their patients experience better health outcomes, reduced anxieties, and fewer complications.

These strategies, outlined in detail in our whitepaper, offer research-based recommendations for creating a positive healthcare environment and a culture of trust and safety. By adhering to these practices, healthcare organizations can prioritize not only building trust with their patients but maintaining it in the long term.

To learn more about building patient trust and the strategies that can be implemented to improve patient experience and health outcomes, download our full whitepaper today.

Ready to learn more about how an incident management system can help your organization build trust with patients? Set up a call with our team to learn how our software can help you meet your goals.