With how busy many physicians and residents are, it seems that even the most simple and important aspects of the physician-patient relationship are overlooked. However, one medical student that I worked with for a month never found any task too small. Even as the attending would breeze in the room, get the information he needed, and quickly walk out with the rest of the team, this student always remained in the room. She would stay there to ask what questions the patient had, what she could do or get for the patient, and if the patient would like the door closed or not after she left. No matter how busy she or the team was, how complicated or simple the patient's problems were, or how friendly the patient was, she always did her part to make the patient feel important. She always made listening to the patient important. Her consistent actions made the patient feel important. And her actions inspired me to do the same.
Charlie Jain
UICOMP Class of 2014
