The role of a doctor....or I should say--a good communicator

Last week I had a ICM(introduction to clinical medicine) tutorial. I interviewed a virtual patient(my tutor). She was worried about her son. eg. hanged out with some "bad friends", etc. At the moment, I was confused about the role of a consultand and a doctor. In Taiwan, doctors (except Psychiatrists) only talk about the physical part of a patient. I have never encountered this kind of situation because I used to think that this is the job for consultants but doctors. In addition, as a doctor, what should I do to help the patient? Giving useful advices? Listening and understanding as much as I can? or just be a person whom the patient can share with? How to show my support? A good communicator is not only a doctor. But a doctor should be a good communicator. hm....I still have so many things to learn. It's a long journey!(man! 6 years is only a little beginning!)