The price of trust

Determinants of trust in physicians across 30 countries

Dados Bibliográficos

ID9951349
AutoresBranko Ančić (0000-0003-1438-2647, Institute for Social Research), Marko Marelić (0000-0003-2596-3359, University of Zagreb), Stjepka Popović (0000-0001-5072-1103, University of Zagreb, autor correspondente)
Ano2026
Volume56
Fascículo3
Páginas1-26
Data de publicação2026-01-02
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Sociology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0020-7659 • E-ISSN: 1557-9336
EditoraTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00207659.2025.2607265
OpenAlexW7117959145
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas39

IN ENGLISH: This study examines the determinants of trust in physicians in 30 countries, focusing on general trust, perceived competence, and fidelity (defined as prioritizing patient welfare over profit). Using 2021 ISSP data combined with macro-level indicators such as the Human Development Index (HDI), health expenditures, and public–private funding preferences, the analysis explores how individual experiences and healthcare system characteristics shape trust. Results show that trust is strongly linked to confidence in the healthcare system and satisfaction with doctor visits, while socio-demographic factors and personal health experiences also play an important role. At the macro level, higher HDI is associated with greater trust, whereas higher out-of-pocket payments and healthcare commodification reduce it. Total health spending alone does not reliably increase trust, highlighting the importance of equity and efficiency. Overall, trust in physicians emerges as a multidimensional, context-dependent phenomenon shaped by both interpersonal and institutional factors. --------------- IN CROATIAN: Ova studija ispituje odrednice povjerenja u liječnike u 30 zemalja, s naglaskom na opće povjerenje, percipiranu kompetentnost i vjernost (definiranu kao davanje prednosti dobrobiti pacijenata u odnosu na profit). Koristeći podatke ISSP-a iz 2021. godine u kombinaciji s makrorazinskim pokazateljima poput Indeksa ljudskog razvoja (HDI), zdravstvenih izdataka te preferencija javnog i privatnog financiranja, analiza istražuje kako individualna iskustva i obilježja zdravstvenih sustava oblikuju povjerenje. Rezultati pokazuju da je povjerenje snažno povezano s povjerenjem u zdravstveni sustav i zadovoljstvom posjetima liječniku, dok sociodemografski čimbenici i osobna zdravstvena iskustva također imaju važnu ulogu. Na makrorazini, viši HDI povezan je s većim povjerenjem, dok viši izravni troškovi iz džepa (out-of-pocket) i komodifikacija zdravstvene skrbi smanjuju povjerenje. Samo povećanje ukupne zdravstvene potrošnje ne dovodi pouzdano do većeg povjerenja, što naglašava važnost pravednosti i učinkovitosti. Općenito, povjerenje u liječnike pokazuje se kao višedimenzionalan, kontekstualno uvjetovan fenomen, oblikovan i međuljudskim i institucionalnim čimbenicima

Data collection · Developing country · MEDLINE · Patient Satisfaction in Healthcare · Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare · Pharmaceutical industry and healthcare