Surgeon's Bedside Manner Is Important.

The personal manner of a surgeon is much more important to patients than his or her technical skills. "Most patients do not know how good a doctor's surgical skills are," maintains Kevin C. Chung, professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and director of the University of Michigan Hand Center. "What is most important to the patient is that initial encounter and how the doctor presents himself or herself."

Three hundred forty-five patients who attended a university outpatient plastic surgery clinic were asked to complete the Visit Specific Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire after their visit. Sixty percent rated their over-all satisfaction with the visit as "excellent," while 30% felt it was "very good." The study showed that the most important...