Empowering the Patient through the Development of Core Competencies

Abstract

The following paper reflects on the impact of the physician core competencies defined by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education of USA. In this commentary paper we have mirrored these core competencies so that the perceived patient perspective can be heard. As medical educators we feel it is important to consider the views of the main stakeholder in medicine, namely the patient, and to draw on our experiences as clinicians and at times patients ourselves. We further consider patient rights as the driving force that directs the development of core competencies through the cultivation of active and fruitful dialogue with their physicians.