Doctors need to work on their people skills.

It's something patients have grumbled about for a long time. Doctors are rude. Doctors don't listen. Doctors have no time. Doctors don't explain things in terms patients can understand.

It's a familiar litany. But here's what is new: The medical community is paying attention.

That lack of communication, after all, isn't just frustrating for patients. It can hurt the quality of care, drive up costs and increase the risk of lawsuits. And under new Medicare rules, providers won't get as much money if they rack up poor patient-satisfaction scores or too many preventable readmissions.

So, medical schools, health systems, malpractice insurers and hospitals are trying to help doctors improve their bedside manner. They're setting up education programs for everyone from medical students to seasoned pros who have spent years talking to patients. The efforts take a variety of innovative approaches, such as putting doctors through role-play sessions with actors to teach basics like always facing the patient, letting them speak uninterrupted for two minutes and using key words to show compassion and empathy. ("I am so sorry you are in pain.")