Revitalizing Doctor-Patient Interactions: Six Key Strategies

A recent report from Northwestern University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham outlines six strategies aimed at improving the doctor-patient bedside encounter. As modern physician visits have evolved, medical professionals are spending less time with patients, which has led to diagnostic errors and poorer health outcomes. The report emphasizes the need to restore fundamental bedside skills that have deteriorated in the face of technological advancements.

The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, highlight a troubling trend: the increasing reliance on technology, including artificial intelligence, has contributed to a decline in essential clinical skills among medical trainees. This shift has weakened the doctor-patient relationship and has been linked to heightened physician stress and burnout.

Dr. Brian Garibaldi, the report’s corresponding author and director of Northwestern University’s new Center for Bedside Medicine, underscores the critical role of the physical examination in patient care. “An appropriate physical exam can help avoid the need for additional diagnostic testing, yet research has shown the most commonly reported error in the physical exam is simply that the exam was never performed,” he stated. His comments reflect a growing recognition of the limitations of technology without the foundational input that comes from direct patient interaction.

The report argues that medical education must adapt to ensure that physicians are trained to prioritize the bedside encounter. Dr. Stephen Russell, a physician at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, stressed the importance of getting doctors back to the bedside where patient interactions occur. “From an educational standpoint, the best way to learn about patients is to be with them,” he said.

Strategies to Enhance Bedside Medicine

The report outlines six practical strategies designed to help clinical educators enhance the value of bedside encounters. These strategies aim to bolster diagnostic reasoning, strengthen the patient-physician relationship, address healthcare disparities, and improve overall job satisfaction for medical professionals.

The insights echo the wisdom of Sir William Osler, a renowned physician and educator, who famously stated, “Medicine is learned by the bedside and not in the classroom.” The report advocates for an experiential approach to medical education, encouraging trainees to engage directly with patients rather than relying solely on theoretical knowledge.

By implementing these strategies, educators can cultivate an environment that values the doctor-patient relationship, fostering a culture of empathy and understanding. Dr. Garibaldi’s assertion that “the primary information we get from patients during the history and physical exam is increasingly critical” serves as a reminder of the irreplaceable value of human interaction in healthcare.

The six strategies outlined in this report mark a significant step towards reinvigorating bedside medicine in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. This emphasis on direct patient engagement not only aims to improve clinical outcomes but also seeks to enhance the overall experience for both physicians and patients alike.

For more information, the full report, “Strategies to Reinvigorate the Bedside Clinical Encounter,” can be accessed in the New England Journal of Medicine (2025).