In healthcare, patient trust isn’t just a bonus—it’s everything. When someone walks into your office, they bring more than just symptoms. They bring anxiety, past traumas, and maybe even a lifetime of being dismissed or unheard. To care for patients fully, we have to build something deeper than clinical knowledge. We have to build trust.
1. Speak Like a Human, Not a Textbook
One of the fastest ways to lose patient trust is to speak in medical jargon that goes over their heads. You don’t build connection by sounding impressive—you do it by being relatable.
When I explain a diagnosis, I don’t say, “Your HbA1c levels are elevated due to metabolic syndrome.” I say, “Your blood sugar’s been running high, and your body isn’t using insulin as well as it should. Let’s talk about what that means and what we can do about it.”
It’s not about dumbing things down—it’s about translating complex ideas into something that feels accessible and actionable. Patients feel respected when they understand what’s happening in their bodies. That’s the first step to building long-term patient trust.
2. Take Time—Even When It’s Tight
We all work under time pressures. But whenever possible, I give patients the time they need to process, ask questions, and feel truly heard. If someone is nervous or confused, I’ll answer their question all the way through—even if it’s been asked three different ways.
Trust is built in those moments of slowing down, making eye contact, and staying present. That extra five minutes might be the most valuable part of the visit—for both of us. When patients feel seen and not rushed, patient trust grows.
3. Honesty Over Perfection
Being transparent builds more patient trust than pretending to know everything. If a case is outside my area of expertise, I say so. I’ll explain, “This is a bit out of my lane, and I want to connect you with someone who specializes in this.” Patients appreciate the honesty—it reassures them that their care is the priority, not my ego.
The same goes for mistakes or delays. If something slips through the cracks, I take accountability and fix it. Owning your errors and being real about limitations shows integrity, which is essential in building patient trust.
4. Ask Questions That Matter
If you want real answers, you have to ask the right questions. That’s why I build social determinants of health (SDOH) questions into my intake forms. I ask things like:
- Do you feel safe where you live?
- Are you able to access enough food every day?
- Do you have stable housing?
These questions don’t just help identify real-life barriers that impact health—they often uncover things patients may not have felt safe sharing before. Many people won’t volunteer that they’re struggling with homelessness, hunger, or abuse unless they’re directly asked in a compassionate, nonjudgmental way. Sometimes, this is the first time anyone has ever asked. Simply including these questions in the intake process can open a door. It signals to the patient, you’re safe here, and your whole life matters to me—not just your lab results. That moment alone can be the beginning of patient trust.
5. Advocate For Your Patients
Being a patient advocate means more than just offering treatment plans. It means stepping up when a patient needs someone in their corner.
Sometimes that looks like calling an insurance company to fight for a necessary medication. Other times it means writing a strong letter to support medical leave or accommodations. And often, it’s about asking a few extra questions that uncover something deeper—like untreated trauma or silent depression.
Imagine a patient who keeps missing appointments. It might be tempting to label them “noncompliant,” but what if someone took the time to ask why? Maybe the real issue is that they’re living out of their car, trying to hold down a job while managing a chronic condition. In that case, a traditional care plan just won’t work. But if the provider listens, adapts the plan, and connects them to the right resources, that patient starts to feel seen—not judged. That’s how patient trust begins to take root.
6. Be Present in the Exam Room
One of the most underrated tools for building patient trust is simply being present. That means putting down the pen—or pausing the keyboard—and truly focusing on the human in front of you. Eye contact matters. So does body language. When you’re constantly looking at a screen or scribbling notes, patients can feel like you’re not really listening.
One way to stay fully engaged without sacrificing documentation is by using a virtual scribe. With a scribe handling the charting in real time, you’re free to maintain eye contact, pick up on subtle cues, and create a connection. That presence builds emotional safety, and emotional safety builds patient trust.
7. Happy Teams Build Patient Trust
Patient trust doesn’t only happen one-on-one—it starts with the whole office culture. When patients walk into our clinic, they immediately feel the energy. And that energy comes from a team that’s supported and happy.
We prioritize team bonding, celebrate wins together, and debrief tough days. I treat my staff with the same care and respect I give to patients. When the team feels valued, it shows in every phone call, every smile at the front desk, and every handoff between staff and providers.
Patients feel safe in places where the staff genuinely enjoy being. That environment is fertile ground for deep, lasting patient trust.
Bonus Tips: The Power of Small Things
You don’t need a grand gesture to build patient trust. The small stuff matters:
- Remembering a patient’s pet’s name
- Asking how a big event went
- Following up with a message to check in
- Offering snacks or water in the waiting area
- Creating intake forms that ask about pronouns and preferred names—and using them
- Making health education materials easy to read and available in multiple languages
- Offering flexible scheduling for working parents and night-shift workers
Each of these actions sends the message: I see you. I care about you. I’m here for you. That’s the kind of consistent care that cements patient trust.
Patient Trust Is a Long Game
We live in a world where medical mistrust is high—and not always without reason. Many patients carry trauma from previous experiences with healthcare. That makes our job even more critical.
We can’t build patient trust in one visit. But we can lay a strong foundation with every interaction:
- Be present.
- Be honest.
- Be kind.
- Be relentless in our advocacy.
- Care for the whole person.
When we do those things, patient trust follows. And once it’s there, everything else gets easier—communication, adherence, outcomes, healing.
Because people don’t just need care. They need care from someone they trust.