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Patients’ knowledge and their trust in surgical doctors. A questionnaire-based study and a theoretical discussion from Norway

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Abstract

This paper seeks to examine whether knowledge about treatment, mental well-being and socio-demographic variables can predict patients’ trust in surgeons. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Norway. A total of 147 participants completed a questionnaire with items on knowledge, mental well-being, socio-demographic background, and trust in doctors in elective surgery. Our findings indicate that knowledge about treatment was a significant predictor of trust, and that the lowest levels of knowledge were associated with lower levels of trust. Most participants reported moderate/high well-being, however, patients with the lowest well-being scores had significantly lower trust in surgical doctors. We discuss these findings in the context of other relevant research and provide a theoretical discussion on the issue using Luhmann’s theory of trust. We argue that both knowledge and trust have forward-looking aspects, meaning that knowledge is to some extent acquired to cope with the future and trust is also related to expectations of the future. This theoretical approach can provide a framework for understanding our empiric findings. As knowledge was a significant predictor of trust, and is related to future expectations, information given to patients should focus on issues that may affect their personal future health.

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Notes

  1. Luhmann refers to Georg Simmel on likening trust to religious faith, he uses the term ‘the mysterious element’ about the ‘ignorance’ aspect of trust.

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Acknowledgements

We owe the patients who participated in the study great thanks; they provided their time and effort to give honest replies, despite being in a demanding situation of requiring surgery. Great thanks are also given to the heads of the hospital wards where the survey was conducted, to Kari Merethe Gjengstø, Anne Mari Grønseth, Åse Eidem and Anne Kristin Klokkehaug, for their decisive efforts in this study. Professor Marit Svindseth was also a crucial part, for her very important contributions in the early stages of this project, as was Professor Aslak Steinsbekk for his work on translation of one of the questionnaires, and Professor Valetina Iversen for her substantial and supportive cooperation in the project. Dr. Tor-Åge Myklebust’s contributions on statistical analysis were of great importance to this work. We also thank Dr. André Vågan at the Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Learning and Mastery in Health for his contributions. The study was financed by Moere and Romsdal Hospital trust, writing of the paper by Volda University College.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Humanities and Education, Volda University College, Pb 500, 6101, Volda, Norway

    Stein Conradsen

  2. Nidaros DPS, St. Olavs University Hospital, Pb 3250, Torgarden, 7006, Trondheim, Norway

    Mariela L. Lara-Cabrera

  3. Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Pb 8905, Trondheim, Norway

    Mariela L. Lara-Cabrera

  4. Department of Health Management and Health Economics, Medical Faculty, University of Oslo, Pb 1089, Blindern, Oslo, Norway

    Helge Skirbekk

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  1. Stein Conradsen
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  3. Helge Skirbekk
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Correspondence to Stein Conradsen.

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Ethical approval

Participating patients were at very low risk of stress or other problems. When the project was submitted for consideration to the Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics (RCMHRE), they concluded that no formal consent was necessary (Case no. 2012/2306). In accordance with research regulations, the project was registered with the privacy policy officer in the hospital trust (ID no. 2019/892-12)(2008), and participants provided informed consent.

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Conradsen, S., Lara-Cabrera, M.L. & Skirbekk, H. Patients’ knowledge and their trust in surgical doctors. A questionnaire-based study and a theoretical discussion from Norway. Soc Theory Health 21, 33–50 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41285-021-00171-3

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