The Surgeon-Patient Relationship: Built Upon Trust

Trust, a key element of all human interactions, is especially precious in the physician-patient relationship. Without trust, a successful therapeutic relationship is often impossible. Due to the nature of their discipline, surgeons must establish a particularly strong bond of trust with their patients. The basis of this bond is clear, effective, and caring communication, the quality of which will be judged not just by what is said but how it is said. Recent shifts in society’s expectations and healthcare delivery have brought new challenges to the surgeon-patient relationship. Thus, the surgeon today must possess not only the necessary technical skills but the ability to foster trust between himself or herself, the patient, and the larger system – all while adapting to a rapid changing environment.