As a fourth-year medical student, I love introducing myself to patients as the “extra eyes and ears of the team, so feel free to tell me anything you forgot or would like to address, even if you think it’s irrelevant or burdensome. I will be your advocate.”
As I establish rapport with them, the walls come down, and they often provide important information that helps my team provide the best care for them. I understand that being sick and lying in a hospital bed in the care of complete strangers is one of the most vulnerable moments in the lives of patients, especially when the caregivers may not understand the patient’s cultural beliefs or when there’s a communication barrier.
This is especially important for minority patients or those of lower socioeconomic status. Taking the extra time to explain the medical jargon of their diagnoses and their treatment plan and why such plan is necessary, and also addressing their quiet concerns helps fortify trust and may even expedite the recovery process.
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