Establishing trust with children

Trust forms the bedrock of the doctor-patient relationship. While establishing trust is a foundational skill for healthcare providers who care for children, there is no systematic approach to teaching this skill set, nor is there formal training during medical school or residency. Traditionally, these skills have been taught by example, in an unstructured and ad hoc manner, with trainees picking it up along the way by observing and modeling their instructors. Here, we define and examine the elements of establishing trust and describe a methodology for establishing trust and managing a child’s emotional state during medical encounters.