Table 3.

Role-Specific Approaches to Trust Development Categorized by Dimension of Trust

Dimension of Trust	Nurse-Specific Approaches	Physician-Specific Approaches
Technical competence	Responds quickly to monitors, alarms, and   patient calls Works diligently with an air of confidence Appears knowledgeable Works as part of a team	Reassures surrogate that team is pursuing all available   treatments Improvement in a patient’s condition reflects physician   competence
Communication	Clarifies physician comments after rounds	Uses lay language Available when requested by surrogate Provides frequent updates Receptive to surrogate’s questions and concerns
Honesty	Seeks out physician when unable to answer   a surrogate’s question	Does not “sugar-coat” prognosis Tempers hope with realistic assessment
Benevolencea	Treats patient like they would treat a family member Checks on patient and surrogate after hours or on days when not assigned to patient Demonstrates that they genuinely care about patient and surrogate
Interpersonal skillsa	Speaks directly to unconscious patient Remembers surrogate’s name Introduces himself/herself when entering the room Warm demeanor Connects with surrogate on a personal level

^aApproaches for these domains were not specific to nurses or physicians.