Trust is indispensable for human interaction in complex societies. This also applies to modern medicine. The relationship between physicians and patients is often described as a paradigmatic case of a trust relationship. The aim of this article is to analyze the significance of trust in the context of medicine from an ethical perspective. To this end, key characteristics of trust and the associated normative implications are first outlined and then reflected upon in the context of the physician-patient relationship. This includes an examination of the relationship between trust and the principle of patient autonomy, which is central to modern medicine. The fact that trust and autonomy can complement and mutually reinforce each other is illustrated using the example of research involving biobanks. However, current developments in the healthcare system can also pose challenges to trust. Examples discussed include the phenomenon of wish-fulfilling medicine and the increasing digitalization in medicine. Finally, the article examines the relationship between trust and distrust and reflects on this in the context of modern medicine.