"You made me feel so comfortable. Thank you"

With 8 weeks of medical training, there is little I can actually do in a medical setting aside from tell patients about mitosis and perhaps their musculature from my cadaver labs. Nonetheless, I've already (and thankfully) have already been exposed to several afternoons working with patients in medical offices.

An interesting experience happened on one of my first visits. My school's worked hard to drill the importance of active listening and the tools for gentle interrogation of patients - "no leading questions!", "probe deeper!", "80% of communication is non-verbal!" etc. etc. Even so early in my medical career, these skills have proven invaluable.

Setting: Medical office, my first office visit
Characters: me, my partner, and a patient (40ish y/o female w/ ummm, well her pants off)

Me: So Ms. X, tell me about yourself.

Ms. X: (apprehensively) What'd you like to know?

Partner: Just tell us about your life and who you are.

Ms. X: Well, I work for the city of ___________ as a street flagger and i'm ___ years old. I have two kids and am single.

*Conversation continues for 10 minutes with no reference to why her pants are off*

Me: So what can we do for you today? (ready for her to explain the pants situation)

Ms. X: Well, ummm. I errrrr...I think I may have an ingrown toe nail.

Me: (nonchalantly) Oh, ok tell me about that while I have a look (i am now kneeling in front of her - yes, pants are still off).

*Conversation continues*

Partner: Ok, is there any other reason why you're here today?

Ms. X: Well, ummm. Yes. I uhhhh. I actually need a refill for my asthma prescription.

Me: Errrrr right. Sure I'll make sure the doctor deals with that. (silent moment)

*Conversation continues and my partner and I start asking deeper questions about her history and validate and normalize her concerns about her sexual history*

Me: So ummm...anything else?

Ms. X: Yes, actually I'm concerned I have herpes.

*My thoughts: Did I just manage to convince a woman I just met to tell me her deepest and possibly most sensitive concerns?"

*Conversation continues and we learn more about her life and everything that's led up to this point. Doctor comes in and prepares to examine her genitals*.

Me: Would you like us to leave?

Ms. X: Of course not! You made me feel so comfortable. Thank you!

Scene. I'll save you the details of the exam.


So sure, it's only been 8 weeks. But I think I've already learned one of the most important skills a doctor can ever possess - listening w/o judgement. Now the challenge is