Empowering the Patient through the Development of Core Competencies

The following paper reflects on the impact ofthe physician core competencies defined by the Accreditation Council forGraduate Medical Education of USA. In this commentary paper we have mirroredthese 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 mainstakeholder in medicine, namely the patient, and to draw on our experiences asclinicians and at times patients ourselves. We further consider patient ‘rightsas the driving force that directs the development of core competencies throughthe cultivation of active and fruitful dialogue with their physicians. Thiswould also likely open the door to further research in this area.