Trust in physician, satisfaction with physician and their relationship among diabetic patients in Kerman, Iran

Physician-patient relationship is one of the effective factors in satisfaction with medical services. One of the key elements of this relationship is the patient's trust in the physician, which can increase patient satisfaction with the physician. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of patient trust on satisfaction with physicians. This cross-sectional study recruited 400 diabetic patients. Data were collected by using questionnaires and interviews. The questionnaire was validated through face validity and internal consistency of its items. The results showed that there is a significant relationship between trust in the physician and satisfaction with the physician. Regression analysis showed that the variables of global trust, dutifulness, honesty, confidentiality, and competence had the greatest impact on the variable of patient satisfaction with the physician, respectively. According to the results of the study, it is recommended that more emphasis be placed on how to create and maintain mutual trust in medical education, such that more patient satisfaction is achieved in the competitive and customer-oriented care system, and also prepare the patient for better response to the treatment.