Work

Anesthesia and the Art of Communication: A Medical Student Perspective on Humanism in a Technical Specialty

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: While anesthesia is frequently characterized by its technical demands and focus on procedural skills, our clinical experiences reveal an equally critical yet often overlooked, need for effective, humanistic communication. Unlike other specialties where rapport builds over time, anesthetists must establish trust, calm fears, and deliver essential information within minutes, often at moments of intense vulnerability for patients. These brief interactions, although fleeting, carry significant emotional and clinical weight. In this perspective, we argue that communication in anesthesia should be treated as a core clinical competency, rather than a peripheral soft skill. We propose low-resource strategies such as brief empathy prompts, simulation debriefs focused on interpersonal tone, and reflective exercises, to help make the hidden curriculum visible. Such interventions not only enhance patient care but also contribute to professional identity formation and may protect against clinician burnout. By elevating the role of communication alongside technical mastery, anesthesia education can better prepare students for the full scope of practice.

Source: Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development

DOI: 10.1177/23821205251391965

Authors: James R. Burmeister, John K. Jung, Ismail Zazay

Institutions: Oakland University, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

Language: English

Topic: Empathy and Medical Education

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,500