A majority of U.S adults say medical doctors care about their patients' interests all or most of the time %ffus. adults who say the following about medical doctors Medical doctors do each of the following
The public gave doctors high marks on several specific aspects of trust. Around half of Americans or more said medical doctors always or usually care about their patients’ best interests (57%), do a good job providing diagnoses and treatment recommendations (49%) and provide fair and accurate information when making recommendations (48%). But notably smaller shares said doctors are transparent about potential conflicts of interest with industry groups (15%) and admit mistakes and take responsibility all or most of the time (12%).
A majority of U.S adults say medical doctors care  | about their patients' interests all or most of the time  | %ffus. adults who say the following about medical doctors  | Mostly  | Mostly positive  | Neither negative  | Overall view of medical  | 74  | 18  | 8  | doctors  | Medical doctors do each of the following  | Only a  | All or most of  | Some of little/none  | the time  | the time of the time  | Care about the best  | 57  | 33  | 9  | interests of their patients  | Do a good recommendations job providing  | 49  | 42  | recommendations providing  | Provide fair and accurate  | 48  | 43  | information  | Are transparent about  | 15  | 50  | 33  | conflicts of interest  | Admit mistakes and take  | 12  | 46  | 41  | responsibility  | Not a  | Very big  | Moderately  | Small  | problem  | problem  | big problem  | problem  | Problem of professional  | 15  | 35  | 44  | 5  | misconduct  | Some of  | Only a little  | All or most  | none of the time  | the time  | of the time  | Face serious consequences  | 20  | 50  | 30  | for misconduct  | Note: Respondents who did not give an answer ware not shown. "Neither" means "neither  | positive nor negative.  | Source: Survey conducted Jan. 7-21, 2019  | "Trust fand Mistrust in Americans' Views of Scientific Experts"  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 