Viewpoint:Trust and the sociology of the professions

There is a fast-growing literature on trust in health care, especially interpersonal trust, but also public or institutional trust, reflecting the growing awareness in both the research and policy communities of the importance of trust. At a general level, trust as part of the broader concept of social capital is related to people’s health and wellbeing. Trust within provider-patient relations is important for its non-specific treatment effects. Finally, trust is also important for the smooth functioning of societal institutions. Rosemary Rowe and Michael Calnan1 discuss some of this literature in order to develop a ‘new agenda’ for research. I agree with most of what they write, but ...