I Have an Outstanding Doctor: Navigating the Decrease in Confidence in Healthcare

In the current advancing healthcare environment, numerous patients, including myself, take solace in having a dependable and trusted physician. Such beneficial relationships can significantly improve the care experience and overall health outcomes. However, it’s troubling to learn about my doctor’s plan to retire early, especially when fewer individuals possess the privilege of having a physician they deeply trust and depend on.

A report from Gallup indicates a notable reduction in Americans’ trust in professionals, with medical doctors experiencing a 14 percent decline in trust since 2021. This statistic marks the lowest point since the mid-1990s, signaling a worrying change in the physician-patient relationship that requires immediate attention.

Multiple factors contribute to this decline in trust, many of which lie outside physicians’ influence. The widespread access to online medical information, often untrustworthy, poses a considerable challenge. Nevertheless, I believe opportunities exist to address these challenges, particularly those manageable by healthcare organizations.

Administrative inefficiencies have significantly played a role in the decline of trust over time. Complications with electronic health records (EHRs), along with tangled medical coding and data entry processes, frequently result in wasted time and dissatisfaction for both healthcare providers and patients. As a result, the relationship and trust between doctors and patients deteriorate.

From a patient’s viewpoint, dealing with the complexities and obstacles related to scheduling and attending appointments can be frustrating, particularly when unexpectedly confronted with charges from denied claims. It’s disheartening to feel overlooked when doctors spend more time engaging with technology than with patients. This discontent may drive patients to seek information online or skip care altogether.

Physicians also experience frustration as they encounter rising burnout and dissatisfaction. Many feel burdened by the administrative responsibilities, which can occupy up to 50 percent of their time, reducing their availability for patient care.

To rebuild trust, solutions must be executed at the health system level. Physicians can provide crucial insights into optimizing these solutions effectively.

EHR workflows should be crafted to facilitate rather than obstruct doctors. Frequently, workflows have been designed without considering the physician’s viewpoint, adding unnecessary challenges. Streamlining processes, such as decreasing the number of steps required for routine tasks, can greatly relieve screen time pressures.

Healthcare leaders must involve clinicians in pinpointing inefficiencies and collaboratively work to refine EHR workflows. Regular training and updates for EHR systems are essential to assure efficiency and lessen administrative loads.

Moreover, technology should lighten workloads instead of intensifying them. AI-driven tools for documentation and medical coding can free physicians to concentrate on patient interaction. Automating coding diminishes claim inaccuracies, preventing denials and saving both physicians’ time and patients’ aggravation. However, integrating new technologies necessitates strategic involvement from physicians to guarantee smooth incorporation and relevance.

Involving physicians in the evaluation and implementation stages of new technology decisions can result in more effective outcomes. Collecting feedback on training needs and ensuring effective rollouts guarantees that technological advancements enhance rather than hinder healthcare delivery.

Focusing on minimizing administrative inefficiencies will cultivate a superior healthcare experience for all parties involved. By tackling these issues, we can work towards reinstating trust and revitalizing the vital connection between physicians and patients.

Allen Fredrickson is a healthcare executive.