Want to be a better doctor in 2025? Adopt these 8 habits for better bedside manner
Key Takeaways
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“It is said that medicine is a combination of art and science. [It’s] based on science, but the application of the science for the benefit of the patient, well, that's an art.” — William Schaffner, MD
“They don’t want to interrupt your sleep or private time—they would much rather be in bed themselves. [Remember], it’s neither the emergency doctor’s nor the patient’s fault that some specialist’s expertise is critically needed at an uncivil hour.” — Michael Curry, MD
Find more of your peers' perspectives and insights below.
The new year is almost upon us, and there’s never been a better time to brush up on bedside manner.
Sir William Osler, one of the founding professors of Johns Hopkins Hospital, once stated, “The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease.”[]
Bedside manner is crucial to patient care, and there is always room for improvement. If you want to improve your bedside manner in 2025, here are eight helpful hints.
Establish a good relationship
“It is said that medicine is a combination of art and science. [It’s] based on science, but the application of the science for the benefit of the patient, well, that's an art,” William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt’s School of Medicine, tells MDLinx. “And that has everything to do with establishing a good relationship with the patient, so that they not only trust you, but they have confidence in you, and they like you."
Kindness matters
Dr. Schaffner says that to practice good medicine, you first have to care about the patient.
“In order to provide a patient [with] care, you have to care for the patient, and so you have to really establish a rapport, a relationship with the patient. Then the recommendations that you're going to make and that you will discuss with the patient will be accepted and carried out to the patient's benefit. Some of these are easy conversations, some much more difficult, but if you have that relationship, you have their confidence, then the patient will join with you in the interests of their own health,” he says.
Remember why the patient is there
Michael Curry, MD, is an emergency physician and clinical associate professor in the department of emergency medicine at the University of British Columbia.
He says that while it can sometimes feel easy to be irrationally frustrated by patients, it can help to consider things from the patient’s point of view.
“A key thing to remember is that the patient doesn’t want to be sick. I’m an emergency doctor and I work rural locums. Like everyone, I groan when I get a page at 0300 that there is a patient in emergency and I need to get out of bed and drive out to see the patient. You have that irrational dislike of the person waking you up and forcing you to drive in to the hospital. But almost always, the patient doesn’t want to be there either,” he tells MDLinx. "It’s neither the emergency doctor’s nor the patient’s fault that some specialist’s expertise is critically needed at an uncivil hour.”
Take an interest in the whole patient
Dr. Schaffner says that one of the crucial elements to a good bedside manner is to take an interest in the patient beyond their illness.
“They have a social history, they have a family history, they have financial issues," Dr. Schaffner explains. “They have their own life story. All of this doesn't come out in the initial encounter with the patient, but [if] you're open and you actually ask questions about this, [they] will be so appreciative—appreciative of the fact that you have made those inquiries, because you obviously want to learn more about them as a human being, as a person, not just as a sick gallbladder,” he says.
Don’t forget about family members
Time pressure can make consultations with patients tricky, but a great way to put patients at ease, Dr. Schaffner says, is to not neglect their family members who may be present.
“If there are family members in the room, acknowledge them, have an interaction with them. Introduce yourself and do that,” he says.
Prioritize respect
Patients and physicians won’t always agree. Dr. Schaffner has spent his career counseling patients about vaccinations, and he says there is an art to discussing issues like this with patients who may have concerns or fears.
“One of the things I tell physicians is that when you recommend a vaccine and the patient exhibits some hesitancy or skepticism, never express either surprise or disapproval. To use a colloquial term, never ‘diss’ the patient,” he says. “You always have to respect the patient. Don't disparage them in any way.”
Take your time
If having a better bedside manner is your goal for 2025, Dr. Schaffner says one of the best things to do is slow down and take time to properly connect with each patient.
“I know this is difficult, but being respectful to your patient means that you may not be able to see quite as many patients. Take a little more time with each patient, and take the opportunity with each patient,” he says.
Make room for questions
Both Dr. Schaffner and Dr. Curry have the same approach when ending a consultation, and that’s to always ask the patient if there’s anything else they need.
“At the end of the visit, always ask your patient, ‘Is there anything else you would like to bring up or discuss?’ That just opens the door frequently to something the patient has been holding back and hasn't quite gotten out,” Dr. Schaffner said.
Dr. Curry feels the same: “Always ask patients if there’s anything else they think you should appreciate. I also always ask before leaving if they have any questions, because they always do."