Your rapport with your physician matters. Surly or rude physicians are more likely to have been involved in a medical malpractice lawsuit, according to studies that have found a connection between perceived competence of a physician and his or her relationship with patients.

Our Manhattan medical malpractice attorneys note a new program at Mount Sinai Medical School is putting students in front of patients sooner in an effort to improve the bedside manner of future physicians.

ABC 7 News reports that the Longitudinal Care experience pairs students with ill patients for a period of two years; the goal is to generate empathy in the students as they witness the ups and downs of chronic illness, treatments and testing.

A report published in the Western Journal of Medicine in 2000 found a direct, casual effect of the doctor-patient relationship on medical patient treatment perceptions and the likelihood of a malpractice claim given an adverse outcome. The report also found that physicians with negative communication behavior were more likely to have been sued for malpractice in the past.

Seven communication behaviors were found most important to doctor-patient rapport:

-Friendliness of the physician.

-Personal interest in the patient.

-Emotional support.

-Clear communications.

-Apprising patient of what to expect.

-Confirming patient understanding.

-Offering suggestions for coping.

Certainly there are many factors involved in the decision to file a medical malpractice lawsuit -- including the severity of injury. And researchers are still debating the impact of bedside manner. For instance, doctors may be rude and cynical because they have previously been accused of medical  malpractice -- making the results of such studies a chicken-or-egg question.

Attitude matters, however. Most of us wouldn't dine in a restaurant where the wait-staff was rude. Yet we are often forced to trust our lives to medical professionals regardless of the rapport. A serious medical issue is intimidating enough. Being too intimidated to ask questions or seek clarification means a doctor's attitude has already begun to impact your quality of care. And it may be time to seek medical care elsewhere.