How important is bedside manner for the General Surgeon?
"Since I'm early in my career, I fear my patient may wonder if I'm qualified. Therefore, bedside manner, besides being important for communication in the patient-doctor relationship, can also help very much in assuring my patient of my capabilities and give him or her confidence in me and my ability to give care surgically."
"I feel bedside manner is very important simply because of the fears a patient may be having or the intractable pain he or she may be experiencing. Therefore, I may be in a hurry to address the problem which may very well be life-threatening. But being in a hurry, as pre-op-to-surgery often is, is the natural enemy of good bedside manner, and it takes experience--which I have--to make sure it doesn't sour this important aspect of the patient-doctor relationship. Thereafter, there is post-op pain, which requires that the momentum won in my bedside manner not be allowed to diminish."
Like it or not, true or not, General Surgeons have a reputation for being gruff, direct, and in too much of a hurry to get into lengthy interactions with their patients. Your answer about bedside manner should simply state how important it is and that none of the stereotypes apply to you.
"Bedside manner is important for all specialties, especially General Surgery, when things can be dramatic, personal, or frightening. That's my policy, because my patient deserves nothing less."