Trust levels in the healthcare system of the patients receiving services from tertiary care institutions in Turkey

Purpose: This study aimed to examine trust levels in the Turkish healthcare system of the patients receiving services from tertiary care institutions and the influencing sociodemographic factors.Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in inpatient units of six tertiary care hospitals (three training&research hospitals, three university hospitals) located in the center of Ankara among 493 inpatients. Data was collected with a sociodemographic form and Multidimensional Trust in Healthcare Systems Scale.Results: Participants' mean age was 47.7 +/- 13.1; 50.1% were female, 38.3% were graduated from high school, 58.2% were unemployed, 70% had moderate income, 64.7 were dwelling in rural, and 63.5% were satisfied with the healthcare services. The mean score for the scale was 61.5 +/- 8.2, and for healthcare providers, payers, and institutions subscales were as 38.1 +/- 5.2, 12.9 +/- 3.7, and 10.6 +/- 1.9, respectively. Trust in healthcare system was found significantly associated with age, educational level, employment, income, existence of household, residency area, and satisfaction from healthcare services.Conclusion: It is noted that older than sixty-years-old, low-educated, unemployed, low-income, and rural individuals had higher trust in the healthcare system. Because their need for medical information is greater, they are experiencing economic weaknesses, and they are relatively more in need of healthcare services, which increases their trust in the system.