Doctor–patient relationships are not only channels for clinical communication but also central to whether patients feel truly “seen.” Yet little attention has been given to how different medical specialties shape this experience. This study explored variations in patient needs and interactional dynamics in internal medicine and surgical outpatient clinics within a teaching hospital. Using a phenomenological approach, we conducted non-interventional field observations of 14 outpatient sessions involving 131 patients. Reflective field notes captured both verbal and non-verbal aspects of encounters and were analyzed through iterative comparative interpretation. Findings reveal a consistent patient desire to be acknowledged in their full humanity, expressed differently by specialty. Internal medicine patients, often coping with chronic illness, emphasized the importance of empathy and ongoing emotional support. Surgical patients prioritized transparency and clarity of procedural information, with analogies and everyday language reducing anxiety. In both contexts, physicians’ communicative choices and the broader social atmosphere significantly shaped patients’ sense of trust and engagement. These results suggest that specialty-based practices are not merely technical differences but humanistic variations in how care is enacted. Recognizing such distinctions can inform more context-sensitive medical education and foster patient engagement. Comparative research across cultural settings is warranted to deepen understanding of doctor–patient communication as a humanistic practice.

Authors:
Ling-Lang Huang, Mackay Medical University, Taiwan

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Ling-Lang Huang is an Associate Professor and the Director of Medical Humanities Discipline in the Department of Medicine at Mackay Medical College,Taiwan.

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