Being a patient can feel like a lonely experience, especially when you sense your doctor is disconnected. A rushed or disengaged interaction can leave patients feeling unheard and uncared for, no matter how clinically skilled the physician is. At the same time, doctors struggle with overwhelming workloads, which can lead to unintentional detachment from those they treat. In this episode, we explore five ways to build connection in the exam room quickly, why small gestures matter, and how intentional preparation can change the entire dynamic. Finally, we dive into the emotional complexities of patient care and the essential role of listening and presence in preventing burnout. Our conversation centers around the ‘Presence 5 Practices’ from this article. 💡 Check out our Free Resources specifically designed to address pain points in medical practice💡Guest Bio: Clay Smith, MD, is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Vanderbilt University. He is triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Pediatrics and the founder of JournalFeed, which provides concise, daily summaries of top medical journal articles.We Discuss:The Disconnect Between Patients and PhysiciansWhy Genuine Doctor-Patient Connections Matter More Than You ThinkEasing Patient Anxiety and ShameThe Impact of Preparation and Focus on Patient CareListening Intently and CompletelyAligning Care with Patient PrioritiesBuilding Trust by Connecting with the Patient's StoryUnderstanding Emotional CuesThe Delicate Balance of Antibiotic StewardshipUnderstanding Fear Behind Patient AngerMentioned in this episode:Awake + Aware Bend May 5-7, 2025 | Our in person live event Ready to reset, recharge, and level up?
Awake + Aware is a game-changing 3-day workshop where you will learn how to stay cool when the pressure’s on and lock in the mindset you need to flourish. Space is limited.

🎓 P.S. Yes, this is a CME event!Awake + Aware Bend 20255 Free Tools To Make Medical Practice EasierScripts for your least favorite conversations.
The quick and dirty guide to calling consults.
A 10-minute "Driveway Debrief" to switch off from work.
My favorite documentation templates.
Step-by-step guide for delivering the news of death.
Free Resources LinkNever Lame. Never Spammy. Always Fresh.If you’d like a few minutes of career-elevating curated kickassery delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter. Sign up for our Newsletter

Ver todos los episodios