I always take the first minute of any appointment to talk about something other than their medical concern. Sometimes it's as simple as asking about their weekend or complimenting a book they brought in. One moment that stuck with me was a patient who seemed anxious during every visit. One day, I noticed she was wearing a pendant with a dog paw, so I asked about it. Her entire demeanor changed—turns out, she volunteers at an animal shelter. That five-minute conversation built a bridge. After that, she was noticeably more relaxed, even during procedures. Small, sincere curiosity goes a long way in healthcare—it reminds patients they're being seen as people, not just cases.