Journal article
Examining healthcare providers’ resilience communication as a trust-building strategy to benefit patients’ physical health
Patient education and counseling, Vol.149, 109649
08/01/2026
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2026.109649
PMCID: PMC13296104
PMID: 42025247
Abstract
Recent research has proposed that healthcare providers should use the five resilience communication processes from the communication theory of resilience (CTR) to better meet the goals of patient-centered communication and avoid manipulative communication. The current research assesses the connection between healthcare providers’ resilience communication (HPRC) and patients’ perceived physical health. The study uses a more comprehensive measure of perceived physical health validated by the World Health Organization and tests trust as a mechanism of effect.
Participants (N = 307) were recruited through Qualtrics panels into a cross-sectional survey study, asking about their communication with healthcare providers over the last year. Participants responded to items about HPRC, trust in healthcare providers (including perceived provider competence, goodwill, and morality), and perceived physical health. Analysis included linear regression models controlling for age and number of healthcare visits to test associations with each of the five HPRC processes and structural equation modeling using a second-order latent HPRC variable.
The HPRC processes were all positively related to perceived physical health and trust. HPRC was indirectly, positively related to perceived physical health through trust.
HPRC may be an effective strategy for improving patients’ health via increased trust in healthcare providers. All five processes are likely helpful. The findings both bolster and complicate prior work on HPRC, pointing to a need for further research.
HPRC should be integrated into clinical practice. Training for healthcare providers modeling how to implement the five processes would be beneficial. Members of the healthcare team should be designated to discuss how treatment/symptoms fit into patients’ daily routines and to connect patients with support networks. Patient satisfaction surveys should include trust to best assess effectiveness of healthcare provider communication.
•Providers’ resilience communication may improve patient perceived physical health.•Providers’ resilience communication is related to greater patient trust.•Patient trust is related to better perceived physical health.•Crafting normalcy and affirming identity were most helpful.•Findings support healthcare provider use of resilience communication.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Examining healthcare providers’ resilience communication as a trust-building strategy to benefit patients’ physical health
- Creators
- Helen M. Lillie - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Patient education and counseling, Vol.149, 109649
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.pec.2026.109649
- PMID
- 42025247
- PMCID
- PMC13296104
- NLM abbreviation
- Patient Educ Couns
- ISSN
- 0738-3991
- eISSN
- 1873-5134
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- Grant note
- National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health: 1DP2EB022360-01, 3P30CA042014-29S7
This work was supported by the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health [grant numbers 1DP2EB022360-01, 3P30CA042014-29S7] .
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 08/01/2026
- Academic Unit
- Communication Studies
- Record Identifier
- 9985157607102771
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