ArticleOrthopedic reviews2026
The Trust-Behavior Paradox in Orthopedic Care: A National Survey of Care-Seeking, Misinformation, and Non-Physician Information Sources.
Article in Orthopedic reviews, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Authors and funding
2 authors.
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Abstract
Background: Trust in physicians remains a cornerstone of effective healthcare delivery; however, the rapid expansion of online and non-physician health information sources has introduced new challenges to patient decision-making. In orthopedic practice, delayed evaluation of musculoskeletal symptoms-particularly those concerning for malignancy-may be influenced by misinformation and alternative care pathways. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, nationally weighted survey of U.S. adults (n=200) to evaluate care-seeking behavior, trust in information sources, and endorsement of cancer-related misconceptions. The survey assessed willingness to delay care for persistent bone or back pain, reliance on physician versus non-physician information sources, and responses to conflicting health information. Stratified analyses were performed based on chronic pain status and prior cancer-related experience. Results: Although 85% of respondents identified physicians as their most trusted source of health information, 55% reported regular use of online or social media platforms. A substantial proportion of participants reported willingness to delay care for ≥3 weeks or until symptom progression. Individuals with chronic pain demonstrated significantly higher odds of delayed care-seeking (p<0.05) and misinformation endorsement (OR 1.5-2.5, p<0.05). Reliance on online information was independently associated with delayed medical evaluation (OR ~2.0, p<0.01). Notably, a subset of respondents reported prioritizing online information over physician recommendations when conflicts arose, representing the highest-risk group for delayed care. Conclusion: A pronounced trust-behavior paradox exists in orthopedic care, wherein high trust in physicians does not consistently translate into timely care-seeking. Misinformation and reliance on non-physician information sources contribute to diagnostic delay, particularly among individuals with chronic pain or prior cancer-related experience. Targeted patient education and engagement in digital information spaces are critical to mitigating these risks.
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