title: Evaluation of factors influencing confidence and trust in the patient-physician relationship: a survey of patient in a hand clinic.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to identify the skills found most important to gain patient's trust from a patient's perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and twenty-two patients were surveyed prospectively using a questionnaire assessing professionalism, physical environment, verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Factors required to establish a trusting patient-surgeon relationship were ranked in order of importance before and after initial consultation with a surgeon in a hand surgery clinic model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant relationship was identified between gender, age, education or income, and answers provided by respondents. Technical ability, verbal communication skills and respect of patient's autonomy by the physician were found most important.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The visit with the surgeon significantly affected the ranking of some of the skills deemed important. Patients view respect of autonomy and verbal communication skills as the most important attributes when developing trust and confidence in a surgeon, followed by technical proficiency.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Hôpital Notre-Dame, 1560 Sherbrooke East, Montreal H2L 4M1, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: N D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Hamelin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nikolis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Armano
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Brutus
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009985:Orthopedics; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035502:Trust; D055815:Young Adult