Divergent dynamics of nurse-patient trust during COVID-19 in China: the mediating effects of medical expectations and communication skills

Abstract

Background: There have been changes in nurse-patient trust in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it remains unclear how nurse-patient trust changed during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period, or what factors potentially influenced these changes. Objective: This study aimed to explore the changes in nurse-patient trust in China due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the moderating roles of medical expectations and communication skills during this period. Design: Using convenience sampling, surveys were conducted among nurses and patients aged 18 and above with Chinese - language proficiency in 38 cities across 11 provinces from November 18 to December 8, 2019 (before the pandemic) and from February 1 to April 8, 2020 (during the pandemic). Participants: Data were obtained from a survey of 1883 nurses and 1850 patients in China.Chinese nurses and patients over 18 years old who could read Chinese, and the principle was that they would participate voluntarily and obtain oral consent. Methods: From 18 November 2019 to 8 December 2019, and from 1 February 2020 to on April 8 2020,participants of 38 cities in China on medical expectations, nurses’ communication skills and nurse-patient trust by Chinese Nurse Trust Scale, Chinese version of the Wake Forest Trust Scale, self-designed medical expectations scale and the Chinese version of the SEGUE Frame-work Communication Scale. Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses’ trust in patients significantly increased (t = -20.69, p