Patient care When working with angry patients, seek to understand the fear behind their anger, AOA President advises Psychiatrist and AOA President Robert Piccinini, DO, D.FACN, shares tips on relating to upset patients in a new video. Oct. 14, 2025TuesdayOctober 2025 issue The DO Staff Contact The DO Staff Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Topics DO & student voicespatient care AOA President Robert Piccinini, DO, D.FACN (also known as Dr. Bob), is brimming with inspiration this week in his newest segment of “The President is in.” As he grills corn on the cob, Dr. Bob chats with viewers about working with angry patients. Try to approach them with understanding and patience, he advises. “Anger can be a response to, really, fear,” said Dr. Piccinini. “A mentor once told me early on, that when you have an angry patient, step back, try to put yourself in their shoes, and try to ask yourself—what are they afraid of?” Watch the full segment below. In the video, Dr. Piccinini notes that understanding other people’s motivations and mindset behind their daily actions and words in clinic or hospital settings can help bring us closer to helping them in the way they need while making them feel understood. It can tell us a lot behind what is driving their anger and whether a deeper issue needs to be addressed. This approach aligns with osteopathic medicine’s focus on whole-person care. “Together, you can find a path forward with you and your patient,” said Dr. Piccinini. Related reading: The DO Book Club, Oct. 2025: ‘Mindful Beauty’ and ‘Doctor Goldman’s Guide to Effective Patient Communication’ Osteopathic innovation and storytelling highlighted in a new platform & new podcasts More in Patient Care Leading physician groups: Department of Education’s PSLF rule will hurt patients and physicians Rule jeopardizes both patients’ access to care and physicians’ financial stability and autonomy, statement notes. Sports medicine: Keeping child athletes safe Alex Diamond, DO, MPH, shares actionable steps sports medicine physicians can take to reduce injury and promote healthy habits in youth athletes. Previous article5 DOs share how they matched into their top-choice programs Next articleDOs hope that new research will lead to universal use of COMLEX for DOs
Leading physician groups: Department of Education’s PSLF rule will hurt patients and physicians Rule jeopardizes both patients’ access to care and physicians’ financial stability and autonomy, statement notes.
Sports medicine: Keeping child athletes safe Alex Diamond, DO, MPH, shares actionable steps sports medicine physicians can take to reduce injury and promote healthy habits in youth athletes.