The erosion of trust in medical care, public health systems, and government institutions poses a significant challenge for the healthcare sector in the United States. Trust is the currency for care in healthcare globally, as it plays a vital role in
, acceptability, and utilization of healthcare. In the U.S., only six in ten Americans believe national health authorities genuinely act in the public’s best interest. If medical skepticism among the U.S. public and medical professionals is not actively addressed, in times of public health emergencies U.S. government officials and national health authorities may find it difficult to navigate mistrust and respond effectively. Trust in healthcare is influenced by multiple demographic factors, including gender, age, income, education, race/ethnicity, political identity, and language abilities. Even though Americans view
are frequently considered as more trustworthy and honest.
Trust in healthcare information and AI
Americans now have access to a wealth of information at their fingertips,
social media notably has revolutionized how people access information in this digital era. However, not all sources are considered equally trustworthy, the public trust in
traditional media sources took a major hit during the pandemic. Furthermore, public confidence in health institutions like
FDA, CDC, and NIH was low in 2023. As we transition from the digital era to an era dominated by AI-driven technology, in healthcare, trust will play a defining role in shaping the public’s perception. All stakeholders need to prioritize vetting of trusted media and information sources, alongside the development of unbiased and ethical AI technologies. Such efforts will address some of the public concerns around transparency, AI adoption, data security, health outcomes. Currently, even healthcare professionals who use AI chatbots, there is
skepticism to some extent in its ability to accurately assess patient symptoms and to escalate emergency inquiries, while patients are concerned about AI's impact on the patient-provider relationship.
Reasons for Mistrust in Healthcare
Mistrust in America's healthcare system is deeply rooted in systemic inequality, discrimination, and disparities affecting minorities and marginalized groups. A study indicates that individuals in the U.S. who identify as
LGBTQ+ are more likely to postpone medical care due to mistreatment by health providers. Furthermore, racial distrust in the U.S. healthcare system is intergenerational stemming from a grim history that includes unethical medical experimentation on the Black community, as well as instances of intentional abuse and exploitation. Even today, ongoing systemic racism and
negative attitudes from healthcare personnel continue to fuel this mistrust, highlighting the urgent need for equitable healthcare practices. Without addressing all these issues, rebuilding public trust and confidence in the U.S. healthcare system looks challenging.
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