A better bond with patients? It's doctors' call.

Byline: Julie Deardorff

The day after I had minor hand surgery last year to repair a severed nerve, the doctor called me at home to see how I was coping.

I was so surprised _ and thrilled _ that the surgeon was checking on me that I wrote a thank-you note (with my good hand) before I even knew if the procedure was successful. A simple, unexpected phone call cast the entire experience in a good light.

It's the little gestures that give doctors memorable bedside manners and create a positive patient-physician relationship, which studies show can improve health.

But often, communication between the parties is poor. Patients feel discounted, deserted and misunderstood while doctors work under the pressure of the managed-care system and clam up under…