Bridging the Trust Gap: A Critical Look at Healthcare's Workforce Challenges at CAHSPR 2025

Bridging the Trust Gap:

A Critical Look at Healthcare's Workforce Challenges at CAHSPR 2025

By Brenda Gamble | June, 2025

Trust – it's the invisible glue that holds relationships together, and nowhere is its absence more keenly felt than within our healthcare systems. Often overlooked, a lack of trust can significantly impede the vital transformation our health systems urgently need. This foundational issue was the central focus of a plenary session at Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research (CAHSPR) 2025 conference, co-sponsored by the CAHSPR HHR sub-theme group and the Canadian Health Workforce Network. The session was aptly titled:

"Bridging the Trust Gap: Workforce Challenges and Solutions."

This essential discussion aimed to dissect the multifaceted nature of trust within the healthcare workforce and its profound impact on service delivery and innovation. The expert panel explored three key areas, demonstrating how cultivating vital trust is non-negotiable for a thriving healthcare future. The plenary highlighted critical dimensions of trust that are shaping the future of health system transformation.

Watch the video to gain deeper insights from this vital CAHSPR 2025 plenary. Learn how we can collectively work towards a more trusting and resilient healthcare future, fostering environments where both workers and patients thrive.

Meet the Expert Panel:

1. Trust in Indigenous Workforce Support

Kienan Williams delved deeper into "Sharing Heart Knowledge" about health system transformation and the importance of trust, especially when supporting the Indigenous Workforce. He offered crucial perspectives on inclusivity and cultural competency, emphasizing how genuine relationships underpin effective support.

2. Trust in Organizational Leadership

Sophia Myles presented compelling findings from recent research that demonstrates alarmingly low levels of healthcare worker trust in organizational leadership. Her insights focused on what it truly means for leaders to do what is right for both patients and healthcare employees.

3. Trust and the Age of AI

Abi Sriharan explored the strategic integration of AI and trust to ensure responsible AI implementation that genuinely augments healthcare work environments. Her discussion highlighted the crucial balance between technological advancement and human confidence.

4. Panel Moderator Stephen de Wit

Stephen de Wit provided foundational insights into the overarching themes of trust in health system transformation, expertly guiding the conversation throughout the plenary.