The Influence of Doctor-Patient Communication on Patients’ Trust: The Role of Patient-Physician Consistency and Perceived Threat of Disease

Purpose: To investigate the influence mechanism of doctor-patient communication on patients' trust, especially the mediating role of patient-physician consistency and the moderating role of perceived threat of disease. Methods: A total of 699 patients in Guangzhou, China was investigated by questionnaire. The main effect, mediating effect, and moderating effect of the model was verified by SPSS23.0 and LISREL8.71 statistical software. Results: It was revealed that doctor-patient communication has a significant positive effect on patients' trust. The consistency between patient and physician partially mediates the relationship between doctor-patient communication and patients' trust. Additionally, the perceived threat of the disease moderates the psychological process through which doctor-patient communication affects patients' trust. Conclusion: Both doctor-patient communication and patient-physician consistency have predictive effects on patients' trust. Doctor-patient communication is not only a direct influence on patient trust but also an indirect influence mediated by patient-physician consistency. Perceived threat of disease moderates the psychological process through which doctor-patient communication affects patients' trust. Specifically, compared to a high level of perceived threat of disease, a low level of perceived threat of disease can enhance the effect of doctor-patient communication on patients' trust. The results of this study underscore the importance of doctor-patient communication and the value of patient-physician consistency for building patients' trust. To foster a harmonious doctor-patient relationship, medical colleges should place great emphasis on cultivating medical students' communication skills. Hospitals should enhance on-the-job training and provide institutional support for doctors, encourage agreements between doctors and patients regarding disease diagnosis and decision-making, and be attentive to patients' perceived threat of disease, particularly for those with high level of perceived threat of disease. Keywords: doctor-patient communication, patient-physician consistency, perceived threat of disease, patients' trust, doctor-patient relationship