Little is known about physician trust in patients with head and neck cancer. This study's aim is to evaluate trust pre- and post-treatment.

A study was conducted of 50 patients with head and neck cancer at a tertiary referral center. Surveys administered before and after treatment included several validated survey tools including the Trust in Oncologist Scale Short Form.

There was an increase in overall trust scores (p < 0.001). Female patients (p = 0.034) and those who received chemotherapy (p = 0.001) were less trusting post-treatment. Patients with more comorbidities (p = 0.045) and progression of disease (p = 0.029) had higher final trust than those without. Patients with high initial distress scores showed a decrease in trust (p = 0.023).

Patients with head and neck cancer trust their surgeon more after completion of treatment, with specific characteristics having a variable impact on trust scores.