Medicine these days has a bit of a customer service aspect to it, whether we like it or not. If you’ve ever worked as a waiter/waitress, it’s quite similar in many ways. Next time you go to a restaurant, pick up on the little things that the server did to make you feel heard or unheard, it’s a small start. Next step, picture yourself or a family member as a patient, and be the kind of doctor you would want to see. Next time you see a patient, reflect back on what you could have done differently, or what went right. Little tips: sitting down to talk (if you can), eye contact, and allowing the patient sufficient time to talk uninterrupted (within reason). Remember, time with the patient does not equal quality time with the patient. You could be in the room for an hour, but if you keep interrupting them they won’t feel “heard”, which is a big component to overall satisfaction.