A new survey commissioned by the Medical Council has found that 91% of people trust doctors to tell the truth.
The council also said that if doctors are involved in an adverse event, they should report it, learn from it and participate in any review that arises as a consequence of the incident.
The trust in professions survey by the council found that 85% trust teachers, 75% trust judges and 40% trust business leaders to tell the truth.
The survey of 1,000 people found that 39% trust journalists and 18% trust TDs to tell the truth.
The research was carried out by Amarach.
The survey has been published to coincide with the Medical Council producing its revised guide to professional conduct and ethics for doctors.
The eighth edition says doctors should promote a culture of patient safety and report adverse events they are involved in.
It contains an explanation of the implications of the Corbally v Medical Council Supreme Court decision, under which the court interpreted that a "failure to meet the standards of competence" expected of doctors means a "serious failure".
The guide also outlines how doctors must try to understand the cultural needs and contexts of different patients.
It contains new guidance on clinical handovers, which are different to continuity of care and says all doctors have a responsibility to ensure they formally hand over patients.
Doctors are also advised about the need for security and confidentiality when sharing photos of patients.
