Objective To assess the effectiveness of the course of “Being a Friend with Patients”. Methods There were three parts in this course: (1) To experience what the empathy was, by counseling activities; (2) To accompany patients in hospital; (3) To share the experience after accompanying. There were 118 participants who were freshmen at the end of 2005. Results and Conclusions According to feedback from the students, they understand empathy and how the patients feel after the counseling. The course is accepted by all students. It may help students to be more attentive to and concerned about their patients, and to provied help for them.