How doctor's visitor acts calmly? (9)

I believe the answer is:

patiently

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'how' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adverbs. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for patiently that I've seen before include "With unhurried calmness" , "without complaint" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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