Sitting with Patients at the Bedside

Clinical Takeaway

: Taking a minute to pull up a chair goes a long way with hospitalized patients.

Context

Clinicians caring for hospitalized patients generally stand at the bedside during patient encounters, which some believe will save time and improve clinical efficiency. In a recent publication in the series, “Things We Do For No Reason™,” authors review the published literature that addresses this common practice.

Key Findings

Several studies report patients’ preference for clinicians to sit during interactions at the bedside ().
In a small randomized trial, patient perception of physician communication was significantly improved for direct-care hospitalists who sat at the bedside compared with those who stood.
Multiple studies show that sitting at the bedside does not increase visit duration compared with standing and that patie…

Reviewing Author

Daniel D. Dressler, M.D., M.Sc., M.H.M., M.A.C.P.

Disclosures

RoyaltiesMcGraw-Hill; Elsevier

Editorial BoardsMedical Clinics of North America; Caribbean Medical Journal International Advisory Panel

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican College of Physicians, 2027 Annual Meeting Committee