Abstract
To study possible differences in trust between general practitioners (GPs) and occupational physicians (OPs) and the explanatory factors for trust. Insight into the factors predicting trust can improve programmes for stimulating the co-operation of GPs and OPs. On the basis of theories of trust and of social identity theory we expected, (1) in both professions a higher level of knowledge-based trust than of identification-based trust, (2) a relationship between higher levels of identification-based trust and higher frequency of contact, (3) OPs to have a higher level of identification-based trust than GPs. We hypothesised (4) that OPs perceiving an equal status have higher levels of trust and (5) GPs perceiving a higher status have lower levels of trust. A mail survey sent to 2297 doctors (1728 GPs and 569 OPs) of which we used 547 questionnaires. Hypotheses 1 and 2 were supported. Hypothesis 3 was not supported. Hypotheses 4 and 5 were supported for knowledge-based trust. On the basis of these findings it is possible that co-operation between the two groups is still in its early stages. Programmes to improve the co-operation of GPs and OPs should focus on equalising status and stimulating contacts to build (identification-based) trust.
Highlights
In the Netherlands several projects have started or will start soon to improve the co-operation of general practitioners (GPs) and occupational physicians (OPs)
Programmes to improve the co-operation of GPs and OPs should focus on equalising status and stimulating contacts to build trust
We studied the co-operation of GPs and OPs from a social-psychological point of view
Summary
In the Netherlands several projects have started or will start soon to improve the co-operation of general practitioners (GPs) and occupational physicians (OPs). OPs in the Netherlands mainly work in occupational health services. Their tasks are in brief: advising the employer and employee about fitness for work (in the first year of sick leave), advising on workplace adaptations and signalling occupational diseases. A different professional group and not belonging to the group of OPs, give advice on fitness for work and compensation after one year of sick leave. The co-operation problems between GPs and OPs (and probably of insurance doctors, but these are not part of our study) have their historical roots in the Dutch policy to differentiate, in tasks and responsibilities, between doctors having tasks in the treatment and care of patients and doctors having tasks in the prevention of work related disorders and the supervision of sick leave. Trust appears to be an important factor in the co-operation of GPs and OPs wNauta & von Grumbkow, submittedx, but how does trust start and how can trust be built? In this study we distinguish two types of trust and studied the difference between GPs and OPs and the factors explaining these types of trust
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