The New Medical School Graduation Competencies and Why One of the Them Stands Out

On Becoming a Healer

In December 2024, the three organizations that oversee medical school (MD and DO) and residency education released a set of “Foundational Competencies for Undergraduate Medical Education,” that represent a consensus on the observable abilities medical students should exhibit as they begin practicing medicine under supervision. Not surprisingly they include taking a relevant patient history, performing a relevant physical exam, and creating and prioritizing a differential diagnosis. But a new one – and it’s the first one under Patient Care -- entails integrating patient context and preferences into patient care.

Stefan interviews co-host Saul Weiner who has documented a strong correlation between contextualizing care and patient health care outcomes in thousands of encounters. Saul reflects on how contextualizing care is a deeply human but teachable process that AI can’t replicate and that makes care measurably more effective for patients, and more meaningful for doctors.

The Institute for Health Care Improvement’s new online course on contextualizing care is accessed at Contextualizing Care 101. For bulk orders email [email protected]