Healthcare Providers as Trusted Messengers: Results From Three Timepoints During the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals struggled to get accurate, up-to-date information to community members, especially to minoritized, marginalized, and underserved communities. Healthcare providers themselves are often viewed and used as trusted messengers, but it has been unclear as to the effectiveness of that approach over time. In this study, we examine quantitative data on trusted messengers of COVID-19 information at three timepoints (2021, n = 150; 2023, n = 52; 2024, n = 51) in racial/ethnic minoritized communities in Arizona to determine whether trusted messengers remained consistent over time. In addition, a 2022 rural Arizona healthcare provider survey (n = 65) assessed COVID-19 needs around support and training during the pandemic. Using a frequency analysis, results showed that community members consistently reported that healthcare providers were the most trusted source of accurate information, but healthcare providers indicated a need for additional support and training to communicate more effectively with their patients. This study advances knowledge for practice by demonstrating the persistent trust placed in healthcare providers by minoritized, marginalized, and underserved communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, while also identifying a clear need for enhanced support and training to help these providers effectively fulfill their role as trusted messengers.