bedside manner
noun
: the manner that a physician assumes toward patients
a doctor with a soothing bedside manner
broadly
: a person's manner in dealing with others
The good news for Coelho is that his problem is largely a matter of style, not substance. With a smoother bedside manner, friends and opponents agree, he could probably get the job done. —
Dana Milbank
Dana Milbank 
Examples of bedside manner in a Sentence
A number of patients have complained about the doctor's impersonal bedside manner.
a nurse with a warm bedside manner
Recent Examples on the Web
Earlier this year, Google researchers published a study demonstrating that their AI has a better bedside manner than human doctors and makes better diagnoses.
—Thomas Germain / Gizmodo, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024
While lawyers and journalists must be clinical in their work, which can sometimes appear to be terse and uncaring bedside manner, therapists and mental health professionals can fill a gap, making sure that people feel cared for on an emotional level.
—Ariella Steinhorn, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024
After graduating with a literature degree from a state school in Indiana, Cyrus is working part time for the university hospital as a medical actor, pretending to have terminal illnesses so that doctors-in-training can practice their bedside manner.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2024
My father had a great bedside manner with his patients, but his emotions came out on the golf course.
—Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2024
Wiley, a physician trained in bedside manner, pointed out that there are often other dynamics to consider.
—Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Nov. 2023
The authors of the study believe their findings show room for doctors to improve their bedside manner and could help medical professionals draft responses to patient questions.
—Breccan F. Thies, Washington Examiner, 1 May 2023
Stamina and a calming bedside manner are practically prerequisites for the job.
—Soudi Jiménez, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2023
Conducting the research made Smith realize that his own bedside manner could use some improvement.
—Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 2 May 2023
Thomas Germain / Gizmodo, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024
While lawyers and journalists must be clinical in their work, which can sometimes appear to be terse and uncaring bedside manner, therapists and mental health professionals can fill a gap, making sure that people feel cared for on an emotional level.
—Ariella Steinhorn, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024
After graduating with a literature degree from a state school in Indiana, Cyrus is working part time for the university hospital as a medical actor, pretending to have terminal illnesses so that doctors-in-training can practice their bedside manner.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2024
My father had a great bedside manner with his patients, but his emotions came out on the golf course.
—Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2024
Wiley, a physician trained in bedside manner, pointed out that there are often other dynamics to consider.
—Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Nov. 2023
The authors of the study believe their findings show room for doctors to improve their bedside manner and could help medical professionals draft responses to patient questions.
—Breccan F. Thies, Washington Examiner, 1 May 2023
Stamina and a calming bedside manner are practically prerequisites for the job.
—Soudi Jiménez, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2023
Conducting the research made Smith realize that his own bedside manner could use some improvement.
—Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 2 May 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bedside manner.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1848, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near bedside manner
Cite this Entry
“Bedside manner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bedside%20manner. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Medical Definition
bedside manner
noun
: the manner that a physician assumes toward patients
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