Providing education to future doctors about handling a patient's emotions and desires and the interactions between a patient and provider can help improve the care patients are receiving and their relationships, in addition to learning how to cope with the emotionally demanding parts of patient care.

University of Illinois at Chicago

In this study, third year medical students were asked to detail their experiences with surgical patients as they face patients in pain, suffering, and emotional events of being a physician. 

Third-year medical students write their experiences with surgical patients in pain 

Kopecky, K. E., Zens, T. J., Suwanabol, P. A., & Schwarze, M. L. (2018). Third-year medical students' reactions to surgical patients in pain: doubt, distress, and depersonalization. Journal of pain and symptom management, 56(5), 719-726.

Third-year medical students' reactions to surgical patients in pain: doubt, distress, and depersonalization

- Questioned the use of treatment 
- Unsure how to respond do the patient
- Difficulty in trusting the patient 
- Recognized several flaws/limitations in patient care
- Believed patient well-being was disregarded

Learn Before

Related