The Mediating Role of Health Perception in the Effect of Trust in Physicians on Treatment Compliance: The Case of Sakarya Province

Ömer Özişli; Enes Kara; Kadri Er

doi:10.18621/eurj.1768758

The Mediating Role of Health Perception in the Effect of Trust in Physicians on Treatment Compliance: The Case of Sakarya Province

Abstract

Objectives: Trust is a key element of healthcare services, as individuals prefer to receive treatment from physicians they trust in both knowledge and practice. Based on this, the study examines the mediating role of health perceptions in the effect of trust in physicians on treatment adherence.

Methods: The research was conducted in Sakarya Province between 25 October and 30 December 2024, using face-to-face and online surveys. The population included residents aged 18 and over, and the required sample size was 384 at a 95% confidence level. Using convenience sampling, data were obtained from 471 individuals.

Results: The results show that trust in physicians increases treatment compliance while decreasing health perception, with health perception partially mediating this relationship. Treatment compliance depends on trust levels and individuals’ health evaluations. The positive relationship between trust in physicians and treatment adherence (r = 0.527) and its negative relationship with health perception (r = −0.442) confirm both directional effects. This pattern demonstrates the multidimensional nature of patient behaviour. Therefore, effective health communication and strong physician–patient interaction are critical for improving treatment compliance.

Conclusions: Trust in physicians and health perception are key determinants of treatment compliance. The mediating role of health perception indicates its strong effect on transforming trust in physicians into treatment adherence. The study highlights the importance of strengthening trust in physicians and improving individuals' health perceptions through effective communication strategies to enhance treatment compliance.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Sakarya University Social and Human Sciences Ethics Committee (Decision No: 2024/75-23; Date: 16.10.2024). All procedures were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and national research committees and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its subsequent amendments. Written informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Allied Health and Rehabilitation Science (Other) , Health Care Administration

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ömer Özişli ^*
0000-0003-0001-2776
Türkiye

Enes Kara
0000-0001-8784-1133
Türkiye

Kadri Er
0000-0001-8018-3887
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

December 23, 2025

Publication Date

December 23, 2025

Submission Date

August 19, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 16, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18621/eurj.1768758

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA94ZR64NB

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

AMA

1.Özişli Ö, Kara E, Er K. The Mediating Role of Health Perception in the Effect of Trust in Physicians on Treatment Compliance: The Case of Sakarya Province. Eur Res J. 2025;(Advanced Online Publication):1-12. doi:10.18621/eurj.1768758