Lai believes clinical instruction is essential, especially at this point in time. Students can see for themselves how a doctor establishes a relationship with a patient and the patient's family, and the clinical etiquette involved in first obtaining the patient's approval and afterwards expressing thanks for the patient's assistance. This sort of hands-on teaching is superior to mere verbal instruction.
賴其萬認為，臨床教學的重要性不可取代，特別是在這個時候，學生能親眼見識老師如何與病人及病人家屬建立關係，以及事先徵詢病人同意、事後感謝病人協助等「床邊禮貌」，這樣的身教勝過言教。