$('#patientForm').submit(function(e) {
    var ref = $(this).find("[required]");

    $(ref).forEach(function() {
        console.log(ref.length);
        if ($(this).val() === '') {
            alert("Required field should not be blank.");

            $(this).focus();

            e.preventDefault();
            //  return false;
        } else {
          console.log("else statement is running");