Good Bedside Manners Make a Difference Megan Malugani | Monster
Contributing Writer Opinions differ on whether bedside manner
can be taught. “I think [it] can be taught, to an extent, but it
does depend a little bit on the raw material,” Schneider says.
“I think, ultimately, if you can get someone to appreciate the
importance of compassion and coming to an understanding of a
patient, they will be able to develop bedside manner. You can
teach them some skills in terms of ways to say things and ways
to approach difficult topics.” For example, physicians need to
be reminded to eliminate medical jargon and check to make sure
patients understand what they’re being told. Medical students do
receive some formal training in bedside manner, Schneider notes.
During the first few years of medical school, students conduct
practice physicals with volunteer patients or actors. The
sessions are videotaped or audio taped, and students receive
feedback on their approach to patients. Also, medical students
are encouraged to ob