The Effect of Physician Financial Disclosure on Patient Trust

Wendy Levinson, M.D., of the University of Toronto, and colleagues analyzed interviews with 2,765 individuals to determine how specific communication styles impact patient response to information about physician financial incentives to limit ordering of expensive tests and procedures. Nearly half of the respondents had heard of this type of financial incentive and nearly all, 94.8 percent, felt they should be informed about incentives. Most (80.5 percent) felt they should be told at the time of enrollment either by their health plan representative (44.8 percent), their physician (17.1 percent) or both (38.1 percent).

The researchers compared six different communication styles to determine how physicians might best communicate financial disclosure information increasing trust and supporting the physician-patient relationship. "Of the six different disclosure strategies, 'addressing emotions' and 'negotiation' were associated with the best outcomes, while 'common enemy' and 'denying influences' were most negatively perceived. Black and Hispanic respondents were less likely to express satisfaction or trust and more likely to disenroll or seek a second opinion," the authors found.