How the Patient-Doctor Relationship Evolves in the Early Years of a Medical Career

Dr. Adam Cifu talks with Dr. Tom Yates, a general internist and assistant professor at the University of Chicago, about how a physician’s approach to care evolves during the early years of practice and how that shapes patient relationships and clinical decision making. Dr. Yates talks about resisting the urge to rush into problem lists and instead listening for what patients care about most. They discuss why preventive care conversations can be hard when patients are asked to weigh risks and benefits, especially when trust or health literacy is limited, and how building relationships connects to professional fulfillment.