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What are some helpful tips for better bedside manner?
I'm currently a freshman Health Science major (Respiratory Therapy Concentration); Since I have never worked a job based in the hospital, I am a little nervous for when I start the program and eventually clinicals. What are some tips that can help me build confidence and develop good bedside manner as I prepare to work with patients.
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James’s Answer
Others have offered good advice. I would echo a couple points:
1) Listen actively and with intention. Repeat/rephrase questions if needed to assure that you truly understand what the patient needs from you.
2) "I don't know" is the right answer when you don't know. Others on the healthcare team may know the answer, and sometimes nobody knows. Patients don't love the fact that we often have to speak in terms of possibilities and probabilities - certainty is not common.
3) Do make eye contact, but also note that there are cultural differences in how patients prefer to engage. It is OK to ask the patient/family how they like to communicate. However, I have had patients and families who did not want me to be honest with bad news. I have always said that I must be truthful - with apologies.
4) Don't physically speak downward at people try to get your face at a level of theirs, be it sitting or standing.
5) Try to avoid medical jargon, but encourage them to stop you when you (almost certainly) do use medical words with which they are unfamiliar. Most patients aren't going to know words like tidal volume, alveoli, expectorate...
1) Listen actively and with intention. Repeat/rephrase questions if needed to assure that you truly understand what the patient needs from you.
2) "I don't know" is the right answer when you don't know. Others on the healthcare team may know the answer, and sometimes nobody knows. Patients don't love the fact that we often have to speak in terms of possibilities and probabilities - certainty is not common.
3) Do make eye contact, but also note that there are cultural differences in how patients prefer to engage. It is OK to ask the patient/family how they like to communicate. However, I have had patients and families who did not want me to be honest with bad news. I have always said that I must be truthful - with apologies.
4) Don't physically speak downward at people try to get your face at a level of theirs, be it sitting or standing.
5) Try to avoid medical jargon, but encourage them to stop you when you (almost certainly) do use medical words with which they are unfamiliar. Most patients aren't going to know words like tidal volume, alveoli, expectorate...
Updated
Martin’s Answer
Listen, Listen and be compassionate, but don't get pushed around. Bedside manner goes a long way when the patient and family respect your care, knowledge and dedication. Use it to your advantage!
Updated
Jo Ann’s Answer
First, feeling nervous and insecure is completely normal. Confidence will come with knowledge building and experience.
Study and learn as much as you can while in school. Then, when you land that job, continue to study and practice skills at home. This will help build your confidence. You will most likely be on hospital orientation for a couple months. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain knowledge and skills, while having the benefit of the expertise of a more seasoned professional at your fingertips.
When you come off orientation, and you have your own patient load, take your time to think things through, and pay attention to detail. If you feel overwhelmed, or need assistance, always ask for help. Get to know which staff members are willing to help. There are always co-workers who are more eager to assist, and some who are not. (I always loved the opportunity to assist others)
Volunteer to assist with procedures, and help co-workers when needed. Even if you are just an additional set of hands, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn and assist co-workers at the same time.
Bedside manner:
Take the time to listen. Answer questions and explain procedures, so patients know what to expect. If you don't know the answer, be honest about that. Assure them you will find out the answer for them, and follow through.
Also, if you are rushed for time, again, ask for help. No healthcare professional is at their best when they are feeling stressed out.
Finally, always think of how you would want yourself or a loved one treated, and then try to strive to meet that expectation. Given that you are concerned about having a good bedside manner, I strongly suspect you already have the qualities to make you a wonderful caregiver.
Study and learn as much as you can while in school. Then, when you land that job, continue to study and practice skills at home. This will help build your confidence. You will most likely be on hospital orientation for a couple months. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain knowledge and skills, while having the benefit of the expertise of a more seasoned professional at your fingertips.
When you come off orientation, and you have your own patient load, take your time to think things through, and pay attention to detail. If you feel overwhelmed, or need assistance, always ask for help. Get to know which staff members are willing to help. There are always co-workers who are more eager to assist, and some who are not. (I always loved the opportunity to assist others)
Volunteer to assist with procedures, and help co-workers when needed. Even if you are just an additional set of hands, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn and assist co-workers at the same time.
Bedside manner:
Take the time to listen. Answer questions and explain procedures, so patients know what to expect. If you don't know the answer, be honest about that. Assure them you will find out the answer for them, and follow through.
Also, if you are rushed for time, again, ask for help. No healthcare professional is at their best when they are feeling stressed out.
Finally, always think of how you would want yourself or a loved one treated, and then try to strive to meet that expectation. Given that you are concerned about having a good bedside manner, I strongly suspect you already have the qualities to make you a wonderful caregiver.
Updated
Yasmin’s Answer
Hi kamyla👋🏻...
It’s completely normal to feel nervous before stepping into clinical settings. Nobody walks into a hospital for the first time already knowing how to talk to patients. Bedside manner is something you grow into with practice, and you can start building the foundation long before your first clinical day.
A good place to begin is simply slowing down when you interact with people. Patients notice when you’re present with them, even for a few seconds. Looking them in the eye, calling them by name, and explaining what you’re about to do makes them feel safe and makes you feel more grounded.
Try to listen more than you talk. Patients often tell you what they need without directly asking for it. A small pause after they speak gives them room to share something important.
If you don’t know what to say, that’s fine. You can always fall back on simple reassurance: “You’re doing great,” “I’ll walk you through this,” or “I’m right here with you.” You don’t have to be poetic; you just have to sound human.
Outside the hospital, pay attention to how you communicate in everyday life. Do you rush? Do you interrupt? Do you freeze up? All these habits show up at the bedside too, and noticing them now makes everything easier later.
Once you start clinicals, watch how experienced therapists and nurses handle tough moments. You’ll see a hundred different styles, and you’ll naturally borrow the ones that feel right to you.
Confidence comes from repetition, not personality. Every interaction teaches you something, and before long you’ll look back and realize you’re the one calming people down. Bedside manner grows the same way muscle does: a little practice, again and again, until it feels like second nature.
It’s completely normal to feel nervous before stepping into clinical settings. Nobody walks into a hospital for the first time already knowing how to talk to patients. Bedside manner is something you grow into with practice, and you can start building the foundation long before your first clinical day.
A good place to begin is simply slowing down when you interact with people. Patients notice when you’re present with them, even for a few seconds. Looking them in the eye, calling them by name, and explaining what you’re about to do makes them feel safe and makes you feel more grounded.
Try to listen more than you talk. Patients often tell you what they need without directly asking for it. A small pause after they speak gives them room to share something important.
If you don’t know what to say, that’s fine. You can always fall back on simple reassurance: “You’re doing great,” “I’ll walk you through this,” or “I’m right here with you.” You don’t have to be poetic; you just have to sound human.
Outside the hospital, pay attention to how you communicate in everyday life. Do you rush? Do you interrupt? Do you freeze up? All these habits show up at the bedside too, and noticing them now makes everything easier later.
Once you start clinicals, watch how experienced therapists and nurses handle tough moments. You’ll see a hundred different styles, and you’ll naturally borrow the ones that feel right to you.
Confidence comes from repetition, not personality. Every interaction teaches you something, and before long you’ll look back and realize you’re the one calming people down. Bedside manner grows the same way muscle does: a little practice, again and again, until it feels like second nature.
Thank you for the advice.
Kamyla