A doctor's 'people skills' affect patients' health

A doctor's "bedside manner" seems to have a real effect on patients' health, a new research review suggests. The review, of 13 clinical trials, found that when doctors were given training to hone their people skills, patients typically fared better in their efforts to lose weight, lower their blood pressure or manage pain. Experts said the findings, reported online April 9 in the journal PLOS One, show that the doctor-patient relationship can have an impact on people's health.