Trust in Doctors: A Slippery Slope

The bond between doctors and patients is weakening. In the past, people trusted their doctors completely. Now, only 44% of Americans think the care they get is good or excellent. This isn't just about recent issues like COVID-19 or vaccine skepticism. It's been a long time coming.

A History of Trust

Back in the 1920s and '30s, doctors started to save lives with antibiotics. This was a big deal. People started to trust doctors more. By the second half of the 20th century, medicine was booming. New treatments, better insurance, and longer life expectancies made everyone happy.

The Shift

But then things changed. Chronic diseases like diabetes and heart failure became more common. These diseases need a lot of care over time. Doctors were busy, and costs went up. Insurance companies started to cut back. They made people pay more and denied more claims. Doctors kept doing things the old way, but it wasn't working anymore.

The Consequences

Patients started to notice. Appointments took longer to get. Doctors rushed through visits. Problems got worse. People felt like their doctors didn't care. But doctors didn't see the big picture. They thought small fixes would help. Now, less than half of Americans trust the care they get.

The Solution

To fix this, doctors need to make big changes. They could work together to make care better and cheaper. Or they could use new technology to help patients take care of themselves. Either way, insurance companies and the government need to support these changes. If nothing changes, costs will keep going up, and fewer people will be able to afford good care.