About this event
There is a growing body of evidence that Americans are increasingly less likely to trust the medical profession, and this is part of overall growing skepticism about "expertise" in general. Mistrust in the medical profession, particularly during times of emergency and public health crises, can have deadly consequences. Trust is a cornerstone of the physician-patient relationship, and there are studies that demonstrate a relationship between levels of trust and compliance with medication adherence, for example. Similar studies show that higher levels of trust are predictors of whether patients follow medical advice on diet, exercise, smoking cessation and safe sex practice.
How individuals respond to epidemics and pandemics is directly related to their levels of trust in physicians, other healthcare professionals, and policymakers seeking solutions to public health emergencies. People who don't trust the government, for example, are much less likely to take recommended precautions and make choices consistent with such precautionary directives.
When individuals begin to question what were "trusted voices," they are likely to change their behavior, and to be less responsive to advice and guidance from those previously trusted voices. Physicians need to better understand the factors leading to this erosion of trust in physicians and to gain knowledge on how they can build trust with their patients and effectively influence behaviors that affect individual AND public health.
This program will address why the clinical and scientific expertise of medical professionals may no longer be sufficient to reinforce the role of physicians as authoritative sources, and will help physicians identify ways to build trust and strengthen their influence with patients and the public.
About the presenter
James N. Woodruff, MD, is the Dean of Students for the Pritzker School of Medicine. In this role, he supports medical students in their professional development, specialty selection and residency application. A graduate of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Woodruff completed his internal medicine residency and Chief Residency in the department of medicine at the University of Chicago. His 8 year tenure as Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program and 6 year tenure as the Department of Medicine’s Vice Chair for Education provide him with broad perspective on the medical training pathway. Dr. Woodruff remains Associate Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency with responsibility for managing 14 fellowship training programs. He is a practicing General Internist, caring for patients in both ambulatory and inpatient settings on the South Side of Chicago. His areas of scholarship include medical professional development, complexity in medicine, adaptive behavior, and diversity & inclusion.
An important feature of Dr. Woodruff’s efforts to promote professional development in both residents and students is an emphasis on social justice. As a residency director he enhanced diversity in the residency program through the implementation of a visiting clerkship program and the development of a minority resident organization. He created the University of Chicago Medicine’s first resident continuity clinic caring exclusively for uninsured patients. He has enhanced quality and ethical standards of practice at the Pritzker School of Medicine’s four free clinics. Over ninety percent of Pritzker students serve in these clinics before graduation. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Provident Foundation, a community based organization that strives to enhance opportunity for Southside youth interested in health careers.
Who can attend
Registration is limited to ISMS members and their employed staff. All others must pay $150 to attend. To pay, please email hpresearch@isms.org for instructions.
Learning objectives
At the conclusion of this activity, learners will be able to:
- Identify symptoms and potential consequences of the erosion of public or societal trust in the medical profession.
- Describe the societal trends that are converging to create a “nexus of medical distrust” among patients.
- Describe how physicians can build trust with their patients and effectively influence behaviors that affect individual and public health.
Accreditation
The Illinois State Medical Society is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit designation
The Illinois State Medical Society designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ . Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Disclosure
There are no relevant financial relationships with ACCME-defined commercial interests for anyone who was in control of the content of this activity.
