Medical Students Recognize Importance of Bedside Manner

Truly caring for the patient begins at the bedside with observation, examination and connection. A commentary that echoes this sentiment appears at in-Training, an online peer-reviewed publication for medical students with content and stories by medical students. The article – “Why is Bedside Manner Important” – describes the value of taking time to engage with patients at the bedside because a “chart can only reveal so much.”

The in-Training feature emphasizes two important elements of bedside medicine: communication and empathy. Specifically,

·       When “providers have a meaningful conversation with patients, the providers gain a better, more holistic understanding of the patient,” an outcome that can benefit both.

·       With empathy comes a sense of confidence that encourages patients to “ask more questions and trust their physician to listen to them,” which “may positively improve patient outcomes.”

Stanford Medicine 25’s own Abraham Verghese worries that the current system can stifle young doctors’ eagerness to be at the bedside, so we are excited to see this topic being discussed and recognized as a priority from within the medical student community.

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