Dave Coleman David Coleman, a urology physician assistant, has been in medicine since 1980 and a health-care provider since 1992. During his career, he was also privileged to work in flight medicine, family practice, emergency medicine, urgent care, and diabetes medicine specialties. He has practiced in clinical, surgical, research, and emergency room settings and has lectured nationally on many medical topics. PA Coleman is a retired military officer who has experience working in military hospitals, VA centers, Indian healthcare, and state-of-the-art civilian facilities. His extensive background offers unique, first-hand insight into healthcare variances and provides a fresh look at the art of medicine. David currently resides in Wyoming with his wife, Karen, and their two sons, Brian and Nathan. Click Here to go to David Coleman's new book, Bedside Manner Frequently Asked Questions about Bedside Manner Q: What inspired you to write on this topic? A: Over the years, I've come to hear about many "bedside manner" experiences. Some were good, but most described events that were surprisingly bad. I soon came to realize that many medical professionals, for whatever reason, fail to grasp such practical issues as common courtesy and basic social skills. I also began to understand that, contrary to popular opinion, bedside manner is not just related to a provider and his patient. I knew then this book needed to be written. I just had to find the time to write it. Q: How long did it take you to complete it? A: I had dabbled with it for about five years and focused seriously on it during the 6th year. It was only after I completed it that I realized it would take another year beyond that trying to get it published. Q: What inspired you to become an author? A: Funny you should ask. I was always good in school and English never bothered me, but I never thought about being an author. Then one day, in the 1980s, I was watching Back to the Future and saw how the father (played by Crispin Glover) changed dramatically after he decided to pursue his dream and become a writer. Though he was an absolute geek beforehand, he blossomed into a normal human being by the end of the movie. That gave me inspiration. Years later, the topic came and I began to write. Q: Did you have to do any research? A: Absolutely! I wanted to treat this topic with the respect it deserved. As with other medical information, I went to several medical libraries and reviewed studies done on the subject. I also looked through medical, science, and related journals to find what information they described on provider-patient interaction and basic patient communication. I was pleased to see others working on similar issues, though not to the same degree. No one really described bedside manner outside of the patient-provider realm, which inspired me all the more to complete this book. Q: Is this book only for healthcare providers? A: No. Though providers would benefit most by this book, I wrote it for all who work in healthcare. There are areas for the front-office staff and medical support staff as well. I've even had people tell me they were going to buy this as a gift for those who treat them. It really has applicable information for anybody in a customer service setting, though it's tailored for a medical practice. Q: What words of wisdom do you have for an aspiring writer? A: I'm reminded of T.E. Lawrence who said, "All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream at night in the dusty recesses of their mind awake to find it all vanity. But the dreamers of day are dangerous men that they act on their dream with open eyes and make it possible." I encourage all to become "dreamers of day" and pursue your dreams!