Influencing Factors of Patients’ Trust in Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the nurse-patient trust among in-patients in the context of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic; it further analyzed the related influencing factors, which will provide a theoretical basis for developing corresponding measures. METHODS: This study employed a mixed-method design and analyzed 149 patients at the Hongqi Hospital, affiliated with Mudanjiang Medical University, from December 2020 to February 2021. Quantitative analysis was carried out using the “Nurse Patient Trust Scale,” and qualitative analysis was performed using a semi-structured interview with in-patients. RESULTS: The average score on the scale was 46.65 ± 2.83, and the scores of the 2 dimensions were: 23.24 ± 1.51 for ability and peace of mind, and 23.32 ± 1.53 for attitude and care. According to the interview data, the factors included 3 aspects: a comfortable hospital environment and humane management measures; the nurse’s own competence; and effective communication with patients. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 epidemic, there are still many factors affecting patients’ trust in nurses that can be addressed by taking different measures. All these factors must be considered by the relevant managers and clinical nursing staff to maintain a better nurse-patient trust relationship.