Trust In Physicians Research Articles

Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding Pain and Discrimination Among Black Adults with Sickle Cell Disease: A Mixed Methods Evaluation of an Adapted Chronic Pain Intervention.

This study sought to adapt a chronic pain group curriculum for adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). Given the association of experiences of racism and discrimination with health outcomes, this study also explored how such experiences for patients with SCD impact their interactions with clinicians and health-care systems. This mixed methods study recruited patients (aged ≥18 years) in a sickle cell treatment program; all self-identified as Black or African American. Key informant interviews evaluated a chronic pain program curriculum and rated the curriculum sessions' importance for SCD pain management. A survey containing six validated instruments then measured experiences of pain and discrimination, level of emotional expressivity, and trust in physicians and health insurers. Of the 19 adult patients approached, 12 (63%) completed the interview and survey. Interview data analysis resulted in five themes comprising pain, treatment, mental/emotional, health-care clinicians, and differences in SCD versus other chronic conditions. Each curriculum session was rated as "very important" or "important" by participants. Most described at least one experience of racism or discrimination in the medical setting and identified clinicians' lack of knowledge as a barrier to appropriate SCD care. Participants identified the importance of non-pharmacological treatments for SCD pain and appropriately managing pain caused by comorbid chronic conditions. Conversely, survey responses reported moderate levels of pain, infrequent discriminatory experiences in the medical setting, and moderate trust in medical professionals, whereas most reported experiences of discrimination in general settings. Many participants reported they either accepted it or did nothing in response to discriminatory experiences. Study findings emphasize the need to address experiences of racism and stigma in addition to experiences of emotional and physical pain among patients with SCD in the context of pain management. Findings from this study will inform the development of a SCD pain group curriculum for adult patients.

Experiences of discrimination in healthcare settings, trust in providers and disordered eating behaviors in LGBTQ+ college students

ABSTRACT Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals report more experiences of healthcare discrimination and disordered eating behaviors (DEBs), and less trust in physicians than their cisgender and heterosexual counterparts. Although research supports a link between discrimination and DEBs among LGBTQ+ populations, few studies have specifically investigated healthcare discrimination and DEBs in this population. This study examined whether LGBTQ+ status moderated the relation between negative healthcare experiences and DEBs in undergraduates. Undergraduates (n = 322) from a Southeastern (United States) university completed measures of healthcare discrimination, trust in physicians, and DEBs. Analyses investigated whether LGBTQ+ status moderated the relation between healthcare discrimination and DEBs; trust in physicians and DEBs. LGBTQ+ individuals (35% of sample), reported less trust in physicians (p < .001), and more body dissatisfaction (p = .007) and shape/weight overvaluation (p = .008). Among all undergraduates, experiences of healthcare discrimination were associated with higher body dissatisfaction (p = .003) and shape/weight overvaluation (p = .008). Less trust in physicians was associated with greater shape/weight overvaluation (p = .005). LGBTQ+ status did not moderate either relation. It is important to reduce healthcare discrimination and foster patient–provider trust for all young adults. Future research should examine factors influencing patient–provider trust among LGBTQ+ individuals.

Social media stethoscope: unraveling how doctors' social media behavior affects patient adherence and treatment outcome.

The exposure of the content posted by doctors on social media has the potential to influence how patients perceive and judge doctors. It is necessary to further investigate whether and how the content posted by doctors affects patients' health behaviors and outcomes, as well as to identify the factors that may influence this mechanism. Multi-respondent survey data was collected from 35 doctors and 322 patients in China, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypothesis model. The findings revealed that doctors posting professional knowledge content on social media positively impacted patient adherence and treatment effectiveness. Conversely, doctors sharing personal life-related content on social media were associated with lower patient adherence and poorer treatment outcome. Moreover, doctor gender and doctor humor moderate the relationship between social media behavior of doctors and patient adherence. Doctors sharing professional knowledge on social media not only fosters trust in physicians but also closely correlates with patient adherence and treatment effectiveness.

Segmented assimilation trajectories of physician trust among internal migrants in Shanghai, China: A cross-sectional study

Physician trust is necessary for improving physician–patient relationships and maintaining an effective health-care system. Most studies on the theory of segmentation assimilation have mainly focused on comparing immigrants in different countries and few studies have applied segmented assimilation to clarify physician–patient relationships, especially physician trust among internal migrants in the context of Chinese megacities. A random sample of 1200 internal migrants was collected through an online questionnaire conducted in Shanghai from August to December 2021. An exploratory K-means cluster analysis and multivariate logistic regression models were employed to identify patterns of segmented assimilation and examine their relationships with physician trust, as well as the factors influencing physician trust among internal migrants in Shanghai. Results show four main patterns were revealed, namely first-generation classic assimilation, first-generation integrative assimilation, first-generation segmentation, and second-generation underclass assimilation, supporting the theory of segmented assimilation. Association between assimilation pattern and physician trust was observed. A relationship was found between assimilation patterns and trust in physicians. Migrants belonging to the first-generation classic and integrative assimilation groups exhibited a higher level of trust in doctors compared to those in the segmented assimilation groups. Additionally, undergraduate and postgraduate education attainment, an annual income of <400 000 yuan, visiting the physician ≥2 times in the past year, and self-rated health status before and after population floating were significant contributing factors for good physician trust. The government can implement corresponding measures to maintain physician trust, improve cultural adaptability instead of only at the economic level among internal migrants, achieving the facilitation of their understanding of the health system and health service utilization to increase physician trust.

Beliefs of Moroccan patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases regarding medication: related factors and correlation with therapeutic adherence

BackgroundMedication adherence is one of the key elements of the management of patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (CIRDs), adherence/medication regimes are prone to being influenced by beliefs about medicines; such beliefs can influence the management and quality of life of patients. Several factors may be associated with these beliefs, including demographic and clinical factors, as well as socio-psychological factors. The aim of this study is to assess beliefs regarding medications among Moroccan patients with CIRDs, the factors associated with these beliefs, and the correlation of these factors with medication adherence.Material and methodThis cross-sectional study included patients with CIRDs. Sociodemographic data, comorbidities, and information about CIRDs (type, disease duration, pain evaluation, disease activity and treatments) were collected. Beliefs regarding medication were assessed by the Belief about Medicine Questionnaire (BMQ). Therapeutic adherence was assessed using the Arabic version of the Compliance Questionnaire in Rheumatology (CQR). Sociopsychological factors, such as catastrophism and trust in physicians, were assessed by the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) and the Trust in Physicians Scale (TPS), respectively.ResultOur sample included 189 patients. The average age was 47.49 ± 13.7; 52.4% had comorbidities; and 49.2% had a low level of education. Of the patients, 49.7% were on glucocorticoids, 61.9% on conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and 6.3% on biologics. The median necessity-concern differential was 6 [1–12]. Of the patients, 67.4% strongly believed that medication was essential to maintain their health. The long-term side effects were the main concerns about medicines (51.3%). In a multivariate analysis, there was a statistically significant association between low level of education, catastrophizing, methotrexate use, and trust in the physician as independent factors and the BMQ necessity-concern differential as the dependent factor. There was also a significant correlation between CQR and the BMQ necessity score.ConclusionMoroccan patients with CIRDs have a rather positive perception of their medication. This perception seems to influence their adherence to treatment. Low levels of education, catastrophizing, methotrexate use, and trust in physicians are the most important factors associated with patients’ beliefs regarding medication.

Is there an Association between Complementary and Alternative Medicine use and Trust in Physicians in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases?

Generally, patients with chronic rheumatic diseases use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in addition to their conventional treatments to manage their health. Discussing these treatments with their physician is still rare, which might be directly related to patients' trust toward them. The primary objective of this study was to assess the association between patients' trust in their physician and the use of complementary and alternative medicine among patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases. As secondary objectives, to estimate the prevalence of CAM use, and to identify the associated factors with their use and with trust in physicians. This is a cross-sectional study, which included patients with established chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases, at the University Hospital Center in Tangier. The questionnaire included demographic and clinical information, use of conventional therapy, complementary and alternative therapy, as well as interpersonal trust in patient-physician relationships using the Trust in Physician Scale (TPS). A regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with CAM use and with trust in physicians. The study included 189 patients. 57.14% of patients reported using complementary medicine at least once, most patients were women (77.78%), mean age was 46.67 ± 13.25 years with an average course of the disease of 11.11 ± 9.23 years. The most frequently used CAM treatments were cupping therapy, massage and the ingestion of a mixture of plants. Mean ± SD Trust in Physician Scale was 47.64 ± 7.2. There was no significant difference between CAM users vs. non-users (48.08 ± 6.9 vs 47.04 ± 7.4; p = 0.35). In uni and multivariate analysis, a low level of education was significantly associated with the use of CAM. However, no statistically significant difference was found with trust in physicians (OR = 1.020, 95% CI (0.978-1.063), p = 0.354). CAM therapy is common in patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases. No statistically significant association was found with trust in physicians, it was rather observed with level of education.

Effect of Shared Decision-Making on Trust in Physicians in the Management of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: The Trust Measurement for Physicians and Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Prospective Cohort Study.

Few studies have explored whether the involvement of patients in shared decision-making (SDM) is beneficial to the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between patient participation in SDM and their trust in physicians using data from the Trust Measurement in Physicians and Patients With SLE (TRUMP2-SLE) study. Data regarding the nine-item Japanese version of the Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire (SDM-Q-9) scores, Trust in Physician Scale (TIPS) scores, and Abbreviated Wake Forest Physician Trust Scale (A-WFPTS) scores for interpersonal trust in a physician and trust in the medical profession were collected from patients with SLE who visited the outpatient clinics of five facilities in Japan through a self-administered questionnaire. The relationships among these scores were analyzed by general linear models with cluster-robust variance. This study included 433 patients with SLE. The median baseline TIPS and A-WFPTS (attending physician version) scores were 82 (73-93) and 80 (70-95), respectively. A higher baseline SDM-Q-9 score was correlated with an increase in the TIPS score at one year (coefficient per 10-point [pt] increase, 0.94 pts, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.16-1.72). A higher baseline SDM-Q-9 score was correlated with a higher A-WFPTS score for interpersonal trust (coefficient per 10-pt increase, 2.20 pts, 95% CI 1.44-2.96). The baseline SDM-Q-9 score was also correlated with an increase in the general physician version of the A-WFPTS score at one year (coefficient per 10-pt increase, 1.29 pts, 95% CI 0.41-2.18). Engagement of patients with SLE in SDM elevates their trust in the attending physicians and health care providers, potentially enhancing doctor-patient relationships and overall health care trust.

Questionnaire-Based Study on the Knowledge of Cervical Cancer and Attitude and Perception Toward Self-Sampling Method of Screening, Among Women in Sikkim, India.

Cervical cancer (CC) is the second most common cancer among women in India and in Sikkim. Screening helps in prevention and early detection of the disease; however, pelvic examination for smear collection is not preferred by many. Self-sampling method can be a good alternative for collection of smears, thus increasing screening uptake. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate perception about self-sampling method of screening among women in Sikkim. A total of 210 women who consented for this study were screened for cervical cancer using Pap smear and HPV DNA. Women were taught to collect their self-sample for HPV DNA test. Questionnaires were used to assess their attitude toward self-sampling prior to collection of samples and perception, post-collection. Seventy-percent women knew that CC is the most common cancer among women in Sikkim. 73% knew that it could be prevented, but only 57% had knowledge about screening facilities in Sikkim. 50% women knew about HPV vaccination program in Sikkim. 96% women had never done a self-sampling, while 67% had never heard about it. There was a significant change (p value < 0.00001) in perception toward self-sampling after the procedure. Comparative analysis showed that women found self-collection easier than expected. If they had a choice, they would prefer self-sampling over physician sampling; however, due to their trust in physicians they still believed physician collected sample would be better. Self-sampling is a socially acceptable screening technique and can increase compliance among socially shy community.

Invalidation by medical professionals in post-treatment Lyme disease

Patients with post-treatment Lyme disease (PTLD) report negative perceptions of care and significant invalidation from medical professionals. However, the relationship of invalidation to illness severity has not been examined, nor have risk factors for invalidation been identified. This cross-sectional study enrolled 80 patients who met stringent criteria for PTLD. We examined correlations between the Illness Invalidation Inventory and measures of symptom severity, quality of life, and trust in physicians. To study the relationship between invalidation and potential demographic and clinical factors, we generated simple unadjusted and multivariate adjusted linear regression models. We found that higher ‘lack of understanding’ and ‘discounting’ subscale scores of the Illness Invalidation Inventory were significantly positively correlated with higher symptom severity, lower quality of life, and lower trust in physicians. In adjusted linear regression models, older age (lack of understanding: β = − 0.17, p = 0.008, discounting: β = − 0.19, p = 0.001, every 10 years) and male gender (lack of understanding: β = − 0.49, p = 0.016, discounting: β = − 0.51, p = 0.006) were associated with less invalidation. We also identified receiving an alternative diagnosis for PTLD as a mediator in the relationship between gender and invalidation. Based on our findings, we hypothesize that reducing invalidation within the clinical encounter could positively affect illness burden and quality of life for patients with PTLD.

Polish adaptation, psychometric properties and validation of Physician’s Trust in the Patient Scale (PTPS)

Mutual trust is considered one of the critical aspects of building a successful doctor-patient relationship. Albeit patient trust in physicians has been widely explored by researchers, physician trust in patients remains neglected, which is reflected by the lack of existing tools to assess this construct. Therefore, we aimed to validate and adapt Thom’s Physician’s Trust in the Patient Scale (PTPS) in Polish. We conducted a survey-based study among 307 medical doctors. To determine the factor structure of the scale, both exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed. The two-factor solution was established for the scale in accordance with the original version. To determine the internal reliability and consistency of the scale, we measured Cronbach’s alpha, corrected-item total correlation, and discrimination indices—all of them obtained very good or excellent values. Estimates of convergent and discriminant validity reached all suggested thresholds. The scale also performed well in theoretical validity. Together, these findings suggest that the psychometric properties of the Polish adaptation and validation of PTPS are satisfactory and that the tool can find practical and scientific applications. We believe that the scale can substantially add to our understanding of building trust-based relationships and rapport between patients and physicians.

Women's Relationships With Healthcare and Providers: The Role of Weight Stigma in Healthcare and Weight Bias Internalization.

Weight stigma (devaluation due to body weight) in healthcare is common and influences one's engagement in healthcare, health behaviors, and relationship with providers. Positive patient-provider relationships (PPR) are important for one's healthcare engagement and long-term health. To date, no research has yet investigated whether weight bias internalization (self-stigma due to weight; WBI) moderates the effect of weight stigma on the PPR. We predict that weight stigma in healthcare is negatively associated with (i) trust in physicians, (ii) physician empathy, (iii) autonomy and competence when interacting with physicians, and (iv) perceived physician expertise. We also predict that those with high levels of WBI would have the strongest relationship between experiences of weight stigma and PPR outcomes. We recruited women (N = 1,114) to complete a survey about weight stigma in healthcare, WBI and the previously cited PPR outcomes. Weight stigma in healthcare and WBI were associated with each of the PPR outcomes when controlling for age, BMI, education, income, race, and ethnicity. The only exception was that WBI was not associated with trust in physicians. The hypothesis that WBI would moderate the effect of weight stigma in healthcare on PPR outcomes was generally not supported. Overall, this research highlights how weight stigma in healthcare as well as one's own internalization negatively impact PPRs, especially how autonomous and competent one feels with their provider which are essential for one to take an active role in their health and healthcare.

Stuttering Impact and Patient Trust in Indian Health Care: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: This study aims to determine the relationship between (a) stuttering impact and trust in the health care system and (b) stuttering impact and trust in physicians among persons who stutter in India. Method: This quantitative study utilized cross-sectional electronic surveys to assess the experiences of 118 adults who stutter in India. The surveys queried (a) stuttering impact, (b) trust in the health care system, and (c) trust in physicians. Results: Stuttering impact is strongly negatively associated with trust in the health care system ( r = −.940, p ≤ .0001, R 2 = .885) and strongly negatively associated with trust in physicians ( r = −.941, p ≤ .0001, R 2 = .885). Controlling for age, gender, and income does not affect these relationships. Conclusions: The strongly significant associations found in this study between stuttering impact and trust call attention to how interrelated stuttering experiences are with trust in health care. Speech-language pathologists around the globe may wish to discuss how stuttering might affect health care experiences with their clients who stutter to build rapport, to advocate for people who stutter, and to better support their health professional colleagues.

Trust in Physicians and Hospitals During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a 50-State Survey of US Adults

Trust in physicians and hospitals has been associated with achieving public health goals, but the increasing politicization of public health policies during the COVID-19 pandemic may have adversely affected such trust. To characterize changes in US adults' trust in physicians and hospitals over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and the association between this trust and health-related behaviors. This survey study uses data from 24 waves of a nonprobability internet survey conducted between April 1, 2020, and January 31, 2024, among 443 455 unique respondents aged 18 years or older residing in the US, with state-level representative quotas for race and ethnicity, age, and gender. Self-report of trust in physicians and hospitals; self-report of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza vaccination and booster status. Survey-weighted regression models were applied to examine associations between sociodemographic features and trust and between trust and health behaviors. The combined data included 582 634 responses across 24 survey waves, reflecting 443 455 unique respondents. The unweighted mean (SD) age was 43.3 (16.6) years; 288 186 respondents (65.0%) reported female gender; 21 957 (5.0%) identified as Asian American, 49 428 (11.1%) as Black, 38 423 (8.7%) as Hispanic, 3138 (0.7%) as Native American, 5598 (1.3%) as Pacific Islander, 315 278 (71.1%) as White, and 9633 (2.2%) as other race and ethnicity (those who selected "Other" from a checklist). Overall, the proportion of adults reporting a lot of trust for physicians and hospitals decreased from 71.5% (95% CI, 70.7%-72.2%) in April 2020 to 40.1% (95% CI, 39.4%-40.7%) in January 2024. In regression models, features associated with lower trust as of spring and summer 2023 included being 25 to 64 years of age, female gender, lower educational level, lower income, Black race, and living in a rural setting. These associations persisted even after controlling for partisanship. In turn, greater trust was associated with greater likelihood of vaccination for SARS-CoV-2 (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 4.94; 95 CI, 4.21-5.80) or influenza (adjusted OR, 5.09; 95 CI, 3.93-6.59) and receiving a SARS-CoV-2 booster (adjusted OR, 3.62; 95 CI, 2.99-4.38). This survey study of US adults suggests that trust in physicians and hospitals decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. As lower levels of trust were associated with lesser likelihood of pursuing vaccination, restoring trust may represent a public health imperative.

Who decides on peritoneal dialysis treatment? A decision analysis for patients with kidney failure.

Peritoneal dialysis, a home-based treatment, enhances patient well-being but is less preferred in Taiwan. This study uses in-depth interviews and ranking surveys to examine the decision-making process of 25 patients (13 male, 12 female, aged 31-80) who initiated peritoneal dialysis. Findings reveal that physicians significantly influence dialysis choices, with their expertise and leadership being core factors. Patients' participation in decision-making is categorized as "active" or "passive" based on their knowledge and acceptance of treatments. Family members also play a crucial role in decisions for patients relying on familial care. Trust in physicians' recommendations is crucial, emphasizing the importance of a strong doctor-patient relationship and ongoing support to boost patient confidence in peritoneal dialysis.

Medical drama viewing, parasocial relationship, and trust in physicians: A cross-lagged panel study.

Medical drama viewing, parasocial relationship, and trust in physicians: A cross-lagged panel study.

Healthcare consumers’ perceptions of incentive-linked prescribing: A scoping review

Incentive-linked prescribing (ILP) is considered a controversial practice universally. If incentivised, physicians may prioritise meeting pharmaceutical sales targets through prescriptions, rather than considering patients’ health and wellbeing. Despite the potential harms of ILP to patients and important stakeholders in the healthcare system, healthcare consumers (HCCs) which include patients and the general public often have far less awareness about the practice of pharmaceutical incentivisation of physicians. We conducted a scoping review to explore what existing research says about HCCs’ perceptions of the financial relationship between physicians and pharmaceutical companies. To conduct this scoping review, we followed Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage framework: identifying research questions, identifying relevant studies, selecting eligible studies, data charting, and collating, summarising, and reporting results. We also used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses’ extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR), as a guide to organise the information in this review. Quantitative and qualitative studies with patients and the general public, published in the English language were identified through searches of Scopus, Medline (OVID), EMBASE (OVID), and Google Scholar. Three themes emerged through the analysis of the 13 eligible studies: understanding of incentivisation, perceptions of hazards linked to ILP, and HCCs’ suggestions to address it. We found documentation that HCCs exhibited a range of knowledge from good to insufficient about the pharmaceutical incentivisation of physicians. HCCs perceived several hazards linked to ILP such as a lack of trust in physicians and the healthcare system, the prescribing of unnecessary medications, and the negative effect on physicians’ reputations in society. In addition to strong regulatory controls, it is critical that physicians self-regulate their behaviour, and publicly disclose if they have any financial ties with pharmaceutical companies. Doing so can contribute to trust between patients and physicians, an important part of patient-focused care and a contributor to user confidence in the wider health system.

The mediating role of physician trust in the relationship between medical mistrust and health-care system distrust

The mediating role of physician trust in the relationship between medical mistrust and health-care system distrust

Act or Wait? Presentation Delay in Symptomatic Breast Cancer in China

Background In Western countries, factors contributing to breast cancer presentation delay have been identified, but little is known about presentation delay in China, where culture and healthcare systems are quite different. Objective To describe the delay interval among newly diagnosed breast cancer patients in China and to identify factors influencing delay, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Using a cross-sectional design, we recruited 154 participants within 3 months of pathological diagnosis of breast cancer. Data were collected using standardized scales and open-ended questions. Results We found 44.8% of participants delayed ≥1 month, and 24.7% delayed ≥3 months before presentation, after self-discovery of symptoms. Logistic regression analysis showed that factors associated with longer delay (≥1 month) included preferring female physicians for breast examination, fewer negative emotions (afraid, anxious, distressed) regarding breast symptoms, more competing priorities, believing folk therapy can help treat lumps, and visiting a secondary or tertiary hospital instead of primary healthcare providers (P &lt; .05 for all). Interaction tests showed perceived seriousness of symptoms significantly predicted delay of ≥1 month only when perceived healthcare access or trust in physicians was low. Patients (14%) reported delaying due to fear of COVID-19 infection and inability to leave home. Conclusions Presentation delays were substantial and multilevel barriers to timely presentation were identified, which would be expected to contribute to later-stage cancer at diagnosis. Implications for practice Findings suggest that nursing interventions and improved health policies are urgently needed in China, including breast cancer education to increase awareness.

Vaccine refusal in pregnant women in Kahramanmaraş: a community-based study from Türkiye.

The global health landscape is increasingly challenged by the rejection of childhood vaccines. This study investigates vaccination reservations and refusal among pregnant women. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye, spanning January to March 2019, entailing face to face interviews with 938 pregnant women. The questionnaire collected sociodemographic data and probed vaccination attitudes. The decision to vaccinate the baby was treated as the dependent variable, analyzed alongside sociodemographic factors and other variables. Data underwent evaluation via descriptive analysis, the Chi-square test, and binary logistic regression. Participants had a mean age of 27.6 years. Among them 20 (2.1%) expressed intent to either abstain from or partially vaccinate their babies, with 70% citing apprehensions regarding potential vaccine-related harm. Statistical analysis unveiled that higher economic income, elevated parental education level, fewer than two children, reliance on the Internet for vaccination information, and a lack of trust in physicians significantly correlated with vaccine refusal among pregnant women (p < 0.05). The study concludes that dissemination of vaccination information by the healthcare professionals, complemented by the enactment of pro-vaccine internet policies holds promise in shaping vaccination behavior.

Barriers to intention to adopt telemedicine: The interplay between exposure, trust, and convenience

Telemedicine is an emerging option to improve patients’ medical outcomes and overcome health disparities. The technology is a cost-effective alternative to in-person medical treatments and can supplement medical care to alleviate stress on the medical infrastructure in the upcoming decade. This study uses survey methods to investigate the patient population’s intention to use telemedicine and assess the influence of different variables on telemedicine usage choices. Findings show that loss of income, trust in physicians, and time lost reduce intention to use telemedicine. The results carry implications for the healthcare industry, lawmakers, social workers, community activists, and family caregivers who bear the burden of helping loved ones with everyday tasks.