Patients’ trust and associated factors among primary care institutions in China: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Empirical evidence on patients’ trust and the factors among primary care institutions (PCIs) in China is limited. This study aimed to investigate patients’ trust and explore some associated factors among PCIs in the central region of China. Methods The data was collected through a multistage stratified sampling method with a structured self-administered questionnaire, which was distributed from January to March 2021 among 2,287 Chinese patients ever involved in seeking healthcare among PCIs. Patients’ trust was measured with the Chinese version of the Wake Forest Physician Trust Scale (C-WFPTS). Differences in C-WFPTS scores among groups were estimated by t-tests or ANOVA analyses. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze influencing factors for patients’ trust in primary care physicians. Results Based on the C-WFPTS with a full score of 50, the average score of patients’ trust was 34.19 (SD = 5.83). Multiple linear analyses indicated that the patients who were older aged, married, with education of higher level, living in urban regions, under better health status and with a family doctor contract reported a higher level of patients’ trust. Conclusion Patients’ trust in primary care physicians was at a medium but slightly improved level in the central region of China. Age, marital status, education, residential area, health status, and a family doctor contract were significant predictors of patients’ trust.

Relationship between self-care compliance, trust, and satisfaction among hypertensive patients in China

“…This study finds a total average C-WFPTS score equal to 3.92. This result is slightly higher than the findings from China's western and central provinces ( 5 , 29 ). One possibility is that the investigated hospital/community health centers in the eastern provinces exhibit higher levels of medical skills training and technology, and medical staff provides better treatment for chronic disease patients, gaining their trust ( 5 , 16 , 47 ).…”

“…Doctors may also enhance patients' confidence and vitality and lead them to actively participate in disease management, thus improving patient compliance ( 5 , 24 – 26 ). Previous studies have reported that Chinese residents express moderate trust in primary care physicians ( 27 , 28 ), and female patients are more likely to experience a high level of trust ( 29 ). Trust promotes patient satisfaction, and patients with sufficient trust in their physicians are more likely to feel satisfied with healthcare services ( 30 , 31 ).…”

Factors associated with the uptake of national essential public health service package for hypertension and type-2 diabetes management in China's primary health care system: a mixed-methods study

“…21 Such incentives may have served to increase NEPHSP's population coverage, but the lack of adequate quality measures could potentially compromise the accountability and enhancement of residents' trust to PHC services. 22 For over a decade, efforts have been made in China to explore and pilot innovative payment methods mainly in hospital care, such as performance-based payment. 23 Our findings suggested that innovative funding allocation mechanisms are also needed to realign PHC providers' incentives in implementing NEPHSP.…”

The Relationship between Family Doctor Contract Services Policy and Perceived Participation in Primary Health Care among Chronic Disease Patients in China: The Mediating Role of the Patient Trust

“…For a long time, Chinese residents, especially those with poor health, have had very little trust in the competence of primary healthcare institutions compared to tertiary hospitals [84]. Tus, patients seek health care resources directly from hospitals once they become sick [85]. Tis may be due to the gap between the service capacity of primary healthcare institutions in China and patients' diagnostic and treatment needs, which prevents patients from utilizing primary health services and forming trusting doctor-patient relationships [86].…”