Trust in sources of information about digital health technologies: The User’s Perspective

Abstract Background Trust is key to healthcare, including all types of health information. This applies not only to the process of healthcare delivery, but also to health-related behaviors and the utilization of healthcare services. Trust in health information sources has been shown to vary by social and health characteristics. Therefore, the research question is: Are there social and health-related differences in perceptions of trust in sources of information (government agencies or physicians) about digital health technologies? Methods The analysis is based on a cross-sectional online survey (STELLAR) conducted in 2022 (N = 1,200), Participants were asked whether they perceive trust (1= fully agree- 4= not at all) in information about digital health technologies provided by government agencies (institutional trust) or physicians (interpersonal trust). For the analysis, binary logistic regressions (references: traditionalists, low education level, poor self-perceived health) were used. Results Institutional Trust. Overall, 43.9% of the participants perceived trust in this information source. Baby Boomers (OR 2.022), Generation Y (OR 2.544), and Generation Z (OR 2.566), as well as medium (OR 2.526) and high (OR 3.823) educational level, increased the odds of perceived trust; the same was found for better self-perceived health (OR 1.569). Interpersonal Trust. In general, 94.8 % of the participants expressed trust physicians. Belonging to Generation Z decreased the chance (OR 0.097) and a better subjective health status increased the chance (OR 4.250) of perceiving trust. Education did not emerge as a significant determinant. Conclusions The study confirmed that interpersonal and institutional trust varies by social and health characteristics. There seems to be a need to strengthen efforts to explain the process of trust building in different population groups., e.g. to find explanations for why educational level was only relevant for institutional trust but not for interpersonal trust. Key messages • Trust in sources of information about digital health technologies differ by generation, educational level, and subjective health status. • Given the existing differences in perceptions of trust, it is worthwhile to explore the unknown mechanisms of the trust-building process among different population groups.