The End of the Encounter

When my patient accidentally told me he loved as I was leaving his hospital room, it made me think about how we end encounters and how we could do better. Physicians leave patient encounters multiple times a day, yet we receive no teaching or guidance on how to end an encounter. If we hurry away after a challenging encounter, what does that convey to the patient about the impact they have or don't have on us? Since that afternoon with my patient, I've made a habit of pausing outside of rooms before moving on, especially after deeply difficult or uncomfortable conversations. It feels like one small thing I can do to demonstrate that, no matter the awkwardness or challenge, I will not abandon them.