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In today’s complex and fast-moving healthcare landscape, trust is pivotal in shaping how individuals engage with their providers. When it comes to discussing topics like preventative care, managing chronic conditions or navigating difficult diagnoses, the bond between patient and provider is rooted in reliability, communication and confidence. But which types of medical professionals do Americans trust the most?
To explore this question, Grand Canyon University, in collaboration with Grand Canyon Education (GCE), conducted a nationwide survey examining public trust in various healthcare providers — including primary care physicians, specialists, nurses, mental health professionals and alternative care practitioners. By analyzing trust ratings across all 50 states and breaking them down by age, gender and other demographics, the survey reveals compelling insights into how different medical roles are perceived and valued across the country.
Read on as we uncover which professionals Americans trust the most, where regional preferences stand out and what specific factors drive the public’s faith in their care teams.
To understand how Americans perceive and trust different types of healthcare providers, we conducted a nationwide survey in 2025 of over 2,400 U.S. adults. Respondents were asked to rate their trust in various medical professionals — including primary care physicians, specialists, nurses, mental health professionals, pharmacists and alternative medicine practitioners — on a scale of 1 to 10. Participants also shared the key factors that influence their trust in healthcare providers, along with their personal healthcare experiences and preferences.
To assess trust at the state level, we calculated the average trust rating across all provider types for each state. We then identified the type of medical professional with the highest average rating in each state. Due to limited responses, Alaska and Wyoming were excluded from the state-specific analysis.
This study provides insight into how trust in medical professionals varies across the U.S. and highlights the roles that are most valued by patients.
When asked how their trust in medical professionals has changed over time, 36% said they trust them less than they did five years ago, compared to just 13% who said they trust them more. Women were slightly more likely than men to report this decline (37% who said less trust vs. 33%, respectively).
In our survey, participants individually rated 19 different types of medical professionals on a scale from 1 to 10 based on how much they trust them with their health, with 10 being the highest possible level of trust.
Cardiologists lead the nation in overall trust, earning an average score of 7.34 out of 10, followed closely by neurologists at 7.31 and optometrists at 7.28. These top-ranked specialists are often involved in long-term or complex care,1 which may explain their elevated trust ratings. Surgeons ranked fourth overall with a score of 7.25, but they received the highest trust scores among male respondents (7.43) and held strong ratings across both genders.
Not far behind are endocrinologists (7.08) and gastroenterologists (7.02), suggesting consistent trust in providers who manage chronic or systemic conditions. Meanwhile, general health professionals such as primary care physicians (6.89) and nurses (6.87) also ranked in the top half of the list, showing continued appreciation for foundational care roles across the board.
At the other end of the spectrum, trust is significantly lower for providers in non-traditional or mental health-focused medical fields. Alternative medicine practitioners — such as acupuncturists, herbalists and naturopaths — received the lowest average trust rating at 5.14, with chiropractors close behind at 5.53. Similarly, psychiatrists (6.27) and mental health therapists (6.38) landed near the bottom, though their scores reflect growing awareness around mental health rather than widespread skepticism.
Among older adults (ages 59 and up), trust in cardiologists is especially high, averaging 7.61, with men in this age group reporting the highest levels of trust overall. This trend reinforces the perception that trust often grows alongside familiarity and necessity — particularly in healthcare providers specializing in age-related conditions.
When asked what would most improve their trust in the healthcare system, Americans highlighted two key changes. The top concern, cited by 41% of respondents, was a desire to see reduced influence from insurance and pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, 31% said their trust would increase with more personalized care and time spent with healthcare providers.
Top-rated solutions by state:
When asked if they’ve ever chosen alternative medicine over traditional medical treatment due to a lack of trust in doctors, roughly 1 in 3 Americans said they had. Women were more likely than men to make this choice (37% vs. 23%), with Oregon leading all states — 47% of residents there reported turning to alternative care for this reason.
Lastly, 77% of Americans said they trust human doctors more than AI-based tools like symptom checkers or health bots. Only 2% trust AI more than human doctors — but notably, 1 in 10 said they trust both equally.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, alternative medicine practitioners — such as acupuncturists and naturopaths — were rated the least trusted in 39 out of 50 states. These providers frequently received average trust scores below 5.0, reflecting skepticism toward non-traditional care across much of the country. Chiropractors were the least trusted in nine states, including Montana. Montana also notably reported the lowest average trust rating nationwide for chiropractors: 4.40 out of 10.
Some states displayed notable trust gaps between their highest- and lowest-rated healthcare providers:
In the South, states like Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana tended to favor cardiologists and optometrists, suggesting a strong appreciation for heart and vision health. Notably, Louisiana was the only state where primary care physicians topped the trust rankings — highlighting an outlier in a landscape largely dominated by specialists.
New England states, including Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, showed strong confidence in neurologists and cardiologists, with trust ratings in these states generally exceeding 7.5.
Out west, California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii revealed a preference for optometrists and neurologists. Interestingly, while Oregon named neurologists its most trusted providers, it also reported one of the higher trust scores for alternative medicine practitioners at 5.39 — suggesting more openness to diverse care options in certain areas.
Across the United States, cardiologists and surgeons emerged as top-ranked providers in many states. Cardiologists claimed the No. 1 spot in 17 states, making them the most frequently trusted specialty overall. Surgeons were named the most trusted in six states, including Massachusetts, where they received the highest individual trust score nationwide — 8.14 out of 10.
Neurologists also performed well across state lines, ranking highest in 12 states, reflecting broad confidence in specialists who manage complex brain and nervous system conditions. Meanwhile, optometrists stood out in 10 states, earning some of the most impressive average trust scores of any provider. Arkansas led the country with an average optometrist rating of 8.08, followed closely by Hawaii at 7.88.
Two-thirds of Americans (67%) said they had switched doctors at least once due to a lack of trust. This trend was more common among Gen X (70%) than Gen Z (59%) and significantly more prevalent among women (73%) compared to men (53%).
Survey respondents also rated how much the care setting influences trust, with an average score of 6.23 out of 10. Younger adults (ages 18–26) rated this slightly higher at 6.53, and men (6.39) placed more importance on setting than women (6.18). The state most affected by provider setting was Maryland (7.22), while Oregon weighed it least (5.43).
Percentage of Americans who trust human doctors more than AI-based tools.
Percentage of respondents who trust primary care doctors the most.
When asked which type of healthcare professional they trust most to provide accurate medical advice, 45% of respondents chose primary care doctors as their top choice. Women were more likely than men to trust alternative medicine providers (8% vs. 4%), though both groups overwhelmingly favored primary care physicians.
At the state level, the following states had the highest percentage of residents selecting each provider type as the one they trust most for accurate medical advice:
A majority of Americans (53%) said they trust providers more in small clinics or private practices than in larger hospitals (18%). Women significantly favored small clinics and private practices (56%), while men showed a higher preference for large hospitals (23%) compared to women (15%). Missouri was especially clinic-focused, with 71% preferring smaller settings, while Illinois had the highest trust in large hospitals (33%). Trust in telemedicine was highest in Virginia (5%) and Maine led the way in trust for urgent care centers (11%).
When asked what contributes most to building trust, 33% of Americans said the ability to listen to patient concerns was the top factor. Gender differences were especially pronounced: 38% of women prioritized listening, compared to 20% of men, who instead placed more weight on proven effectiveness and years of experience.
Generational preferences also varied: Gen Z respondents were more likely to emphasize “years of experience,” while Baby Boomers tended to prioritize past treatment success.
Trust is one of the most vital components in the relationship between patients and the professionals who care for them. The nuanced differences in trust levels across gender, age and geography tell a story about how Americans view their options in today's healthcare system.
This study was designed to go beyond rankings — to understand what shapes trust, from a provider’s ability to listen to years of experience and even the setting in which care is delivered. The data shows that trust is highly personal, shaped not only by professional expertise but also by compassion, consistency and communication.
At GCU, preparing future medical professionals means more than just teaching technical skills. It’s about cultivating a service mindset, ethical leadership and relational care. If you feel called to make a difference in today’s dynamic medical field, our nursing and healthcare pathways offer the opportunity to position yourself to make a meaningful impact in patients’ lives.
Explore our nursing programs to learn how you can prepare to serve with purpose in healthcare.
Experience our trusted medical professionals in action by visiting the Canyon Health and Wellness Clinic on GCU’s campus and take advantage of the medical services available to you.
While national trust levels offer insight into which healthcare providers Americans favor overall, a closer look at state-by-state data reveals compelling regional patterns — and a few unexpected outliers.
