Stare in amazement as doctor interacts with hospital department (4)

I believe the answer is:

gape

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'stare in amazement' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gape that I've seen before include "Look with mouth wide open" , "Yawn" , "watch in wonder" , "Hang wide open" , "Appear amazed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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