Medical Curriculum Emphasizing Patient Trust Enhances Bedside Cardiac Assessment Learning

A recent study highlights how a new medical curriculum centered on fostering patient trust significantly enriches students' understanding and execution of bedside cardiac examinations. Developed and implemented at Boston University School of Medicine, the curriculum integrates attitudes like humility and patient-centered communication with traditional clinical skills. Over six months, researchers conducted qualitative analyses involving 268 students across multiple institutions, revealing that emphasizing trust and human interaction fosters confidence and professional identity formation among medical trainees.

The study found that incorporating reflective practices—such as viewing provocative patient questions and utilizing short instructional videos—encouraged students to listen more attentively to patients' stories before performing examinations. This approach promotes a holistic understanding of patient care that combines diagnostic reasoning with humanistic interaction. Students described how humility and genuine engagement were key to building trust, which in turn improved their clinical skills and professional self-awareness.

Educators observed that peer interaction, hands-on practice, and feedback were critical elements of effective learning within this curriculum. The first module, involving simulated patient conversations, aimed to deepen students' empathy and understanding of the patient's perspective. Results indicated that students gained confidence not only in their technical abilities but also in their capacity to act as trustworthy, compassionate healthcare providers.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to integrate professional identity formation into medical education, recognizing the importance of attitudes and values alongside clinical competence. The curriculum aims to nurture 'confident humility,' a trait associated with better patient outcomes and smoother transitions from medical school to residency. The program will soon be more accessible through OpenBU, with updates planned for September 2025.

Overall, the findings suggest that emphasizing trust and humility in medical training cultivates more effective, empathetic clinicians who are better prepared to care for patients holistically. This approach aligns with the goal of engendering professionalism and trustworthiness from the earliest stages of medical education, supporting the development of healthcare providers equipped to meet the complex emotional and physical needs of their patients.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-curriculum-focus-patient-bedside-cardiac.html