Doctors have been named the profession most trusted by the general public for the 25th year running, according to a MORI survey commissioned by the Royal College of Physicians. The annual poll indicates that over nine in ten adults in Britain believe doctors can be trusted to tell the truth, coming ahead of teachers, professors and judges for example.
At the other end of the scale, only about one in five trusts politicians and journalists come last with just 19% trusting them to tell the truth. Presumably only the timing of the survey prevented bankers from securing the lowest score.
Professor Ian Gilmore, President of the Royal College of Physicians, said:
While this remains reassuring for the medical profession, there is no room for complacency. The trust of patients in the modern world has to be earned and retained, and we can do this only by carefully reviewing the changing needs of patients in all aspects of their care. This will include the timely provision of information and the involvement of patients in a true partnership in decisions about their treatment. We are fortunate in having an active patient and carer network integrated into the College to ensure that their views are central to our work.
