From an early age, we have been taught how to interact with others. At home, our parents remind us to always say “please” when we ask for something and “thank you” when we receive it. We introduce ourselves when we make a phone call or text someone for the first time. We greet others “hi” or say good day to a new acquaintance. These little acts are all part of good manners and right conduct (GMRC), a subject that was part of everybody’s elementary education (until it was removed in 2013 from the K-12 curriculum). Some may see this as common sense and in effect don’t requre formal instruction to be taught. However, common sense is not as common as we think.

In medical school, all doctors are taught how to deal with patients. Even if we are seeing our patients for the fourth time, we still should introduce ourselves to them. For first time visits, we should ask our patients how they would like to be called to put them more at ease. Eye contact is particularly important because this conveys to our patients that we are fully with them and not thinking of other distracting things. These niceties may seem trivial but how we treat our patients can make or break us. A misdiagnosis from a doctor who was warm and meticulous with his patient all throughout their dealings would be less catastrophic to both parties. The patient would be miffed of course, but because the doctor was able to build good rapport with him, they would likely be able to work it out. However, if the doctor was always in a hurry or showed impatience and annoyance, this same situation may end up in nasty litigation. Taking time to be good to our patients can save us both this heartache and unfortunate expense.

On the flip side are our patients. As much as we doctors should give them our best foot forward, we should also expect the same treatment. Schedules are very important, even in pandemic, where online consultations have become the norm. If patients set an appointment, they should at least give the doctor a heads up if they are going to be late, or decide not to show up. There are patients who expect an urgent reply and immediate management at midnight when their concern was something they’ve been experiencing for the past two years. This may seem funny, but it happens all the time. Unfortunately, some patients feel slighted when their doctors don’t respond right away. The best reply from the doctor is to apologize for the delay and to thank the patient for waiting. However, some patients may badmouth their doctors for this. Again, it all boils down to GMRC. Patients deserve good treatment; doctors do, too. Respect begets respect.