Patient’s trust in the doctor as a condition for the effectiveness of treatment: characteristics and research methods

Pavel A. Kislyakov; Elena A. Shmeleva; Tatiana V. Karaseva; Danila A. Prijatkin

doi:10.12731/2658-6649-2025-17-5-1648

Pavel A. Kislyakov Russian State Social University; Peoples' Friendship University of Russia; FKU Research Institute of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1238-9183
Elena A. Shmeleva Ivanovo State University; Peoples' Friendship University of Russia; Ivanovo Fire and Rescue Academy of the State Fire Service of the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4698-5226
Tatiana V. Karaseva Ivanovo State University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0708-7423
Danila A. Prijatkin Ivanovo State Medical Academy; Regional Budgetary Health Care Institution ‘Ivanovo Regional Clinical Hospital’ https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3084-6384

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12731/2658-6649-2025-17-5-1648

Keywords: patient's trust, interpersonal trust in a doctor, trust in healthcare, trust scale, -psychological characteristics

Abstract

Background. Social practice and regulatory documents actualize the need for interdisciplinary research on medical, socio-psychological problems of the effectiveness of treatment and medical care for the population based on the identification of difficulties in the relationship between a doctor and a patient. Increasing patient confidence by improving patient satisfaction is one of the most important goals of healthcare systems worldwide. Tools have been developed and are being used abroad to measure trust in the healthcare sector. Some of them measure patients' trust in doctors and medical professionals, while others measure trust in medical organizations and the healthcare system as a whole.

Purpose – study and summarize studies and methods for assessing patient's trust in a doctor as a condition for effective treatment.

Methods. Articles were searched in Russian and international databases (Semantic Scholar, PubMed, elibrary.ru ) using the keywords "doctor's trust" and "patient trust" for the period from 2010 to 2025.

Results. The research is analyzed in two areas: patient's trust in the doctor and the specifics of interaction (communication) between the doctor and the patient, and public trust in the healthcare system and medical institutions. The main characteristics of trust in a doctor are the nature of communication and relationship between a patient and a doctor, empathy of a doctor, personal experience and willingness to consult a doctor. The author's translation into Russian of the method "Wake Forest Physician Trust Scale – WFPTS", widely used worldwide, is presented.

Conclusion. The experience of foreign studies has shown that the methods used to assess the patient's trust in the doctor are valid and reliable, which indicates the possibility of their application in Russian samples after appropriate psychometric procedures. Based on objective data from comprehensive medical, socio-psychological research, the healthcare system and individual medical organizations can set the task of building a harmonious relationship between doctor and patient and increasing patient confidence.

EDN: MHNHYD

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Author Biographies

Pavel A. Kislyakov, Russian State Social University; Peoples' Friendship University of Russia; FKU Research Institute of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia

Dr. Sci. (Psychology), Associate Professor, Professor of the Department of Psychology, Conflictology and Behavioral Sciences; Professor of the Department of Russian Studies, Ethnic-Oriented Pedagogy, and Digital Didactics at the Institute of the Russian Language; Chief Scientific Officer

Elena A. Shmeleva, Ivanovo State University; Peoples' Friendship University of Russia; Ivanovo Fire and Rescue Academy of the State Fire Service of the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters

Dr. Sci. (Psychology), Professor; Professor of the Department of Psychology and Social Pedagogy; Professor of the Department of Russian Studies, Ethnic-Oriented Pedagogy, and Digital Didactics at the Institute of the Russian Language; Professor of the Department of Foreign Languages and Professional Communications

Tatiana V. Karaseva, Ivanovo State University

Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Professor of the Department of Physical Culture and Life Safety

Danila A. Prijatkin, Ivanovo State Medical Academy; Regional Budgetary Health Care Institution ‘Ivanovo Regional Clinical Hospital’

Resident Doctor; Cardiology Trainee

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