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.
