Doctors - Public confidence in doctors (Great Britain)
August 2008
Doctors have again topped a poll of professionals most trusted by the public.
The annual MORI poll, commissioned by the Royal College of Physicians, found that ninety per cent of the public said they trusted doctors to tell the truth. This is higher than the rating for any other professional group included in the poll.
Doctors were closely followed by teachers (86%), professors (78%), judges (78%) and clergymen/priests (73%). Politicians and government ministers were among the lowest rated - only about one in five adults trusted government ministers to tell the truth, while just 18% trusted politicians.
Doctors will be incredibly heartened to hear that they continue to earn their patients’ trust. These figures once again demonstrate the importance of the doctor-patient relationship and patients will find this trust of enormous value when they attempt to navigate the many changes affecting their health care.
For the public poll, Ipsos MORI interviewed a representative quota sample of about 2,000 adults.
Since the poll began in 1983 doctors have topped the list of most trusted professionals every year including in 1993 when they were joint first with teachers.
In 2003 MORI conducted a separate survey of politicians’ attitudes to doctors. It found that three quarters of MPs (74 per cent) believe doctors are patient-focused, as opposed to self- centred (18 per cent). Most MPs have a positive view of doctors working in the NHS. They see them as committed (92 per cent), hard-working (87 per cent), and vocationally driven (74 per cent). As well as believing they work effectively (82 per cent) the majority view doctors as helpful (83 per cent). Almost as many MPs as members of the public trust doctors to tell the truth (89 per cent compared to 92 per cent).
For further information, please contact the Parliamentary Unit:
Fax: 020 7383 6830
E-mail: parliamentaryunit@bma.org.uk.