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Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
MD Education

Patient-Centered Medical Care

Our graduates will demonstrate proficiency in the clinical skills and knowledge necessary to enter postgraduate medical education. They will apply their skills, knowledge and clinical evidence with attention to patients’ perspectives, needs, values and comfort.

Expand the entries below to learn more about benchmarks in these competencies.

 PCMC - 1

Elicit complete medical histories using questions appropriate for the patient’s presenting concerns.

  • Does Not Meet: History-taking is disorganized or halting.
  • Phase 1 Benchmark: History-taking is patient-centered and fairly organized.
  • Phase 2 Benchmark: History-taking is patient-centered, fairly organized and complete, collecting almost all important details. 
  • Phase 3 Benchmark: History-taking is patient-centered, organized, complete and efficient, even for complex patients.  
  • Aspirational Behavior: History-taking is patient-centered, organized, complete and efficient for all patients, even for complex patients in challenging situations.  

 PCMC - 2

Perform both comprehensive and focused physical exams with sensitivity to patient comfort. Select techniques appropriate to the complexity and acuity of the patient.

  • Does Not Meet: Physical exam frequently shows poor technique or ignores patient comfort. Cannot identify abnormal findings.
  • Phase 1 Benchmark: Physical examination usually attends to patient comfort and shows proper technique, but may not be complete or appropriate for clinical scenario. Correctly identifies some abnormal findings.
  • Phase 2 Benchmark: Physical examination is appropriate for clinical scenario, and usually shows proper technique and attention to patient comfort. Correctly identifies most abnormal findings.
  • Phase 3 Benchmark: Physical examination is appropriate for clinical scenario, with proper technique and attention to patient comfort, even for complex patients. Correctly identifies abnormal findings in these patients.
  • Aspirational Behavior: Physical examination is efficient yet appropriate for clinical scenario, with proper technique and attention to patient comfort, even for complex patients or in challenging situations. Correctly identifies abnormal findings in these cases.  

 PCMC - 3

Display clinical reasoning skills regarding a patient case verbally and in writing.

  • Does Not Meet: Patient presentations, write-ups, assessments and plans lack proper structure and sound reasoning.
  • Phase 1 Benchmark: Patient presentations, write-ups, assessments and plans show proper structure and some sound reasoning. Reasoning may be incomplete or have some errors.
  • Phase 2 Benchmark: Patient presentations, write-ups, assessments and plans show proper structure and sound reasoning. Reasoning is complete and correct for straightforward cases.
  • Phase 3 Benchmark: Patient presentations, write-ups, assessments, and plans show proper structure, sound reasoning, and advance the care of the patient. Reasoning is complete and correct for complex cases. 
  • Aspirational Behavior: Patient presentations, write-ups, assessments, and plans show proper structure, sound reasoning, and advance the care of the patient. Reasoning is complete and correct for complex cases in challenging circumstances. 

 PCMC - 4

Demonstrate proficiency in performing select clinical procedures.

  • Does Not Meet: Is not expected to perform procedures.
  • Phase 1 Benchmark: Is not expected to perform procedures.
  • Phase 2 Benchmark: Describes risks, benefits, indications, and contraindications of procedures. Can perform select procedures in simulated settings.
  • Phase 3 Benchmark: Describes risks, benefits, indications, and contraindications of procedures. Can perform select procedures in simulated settings, and can anticipate and avoid potential errors.
  • Aspirational Behavior: Describes risks, benefits, indications, and contraindications of procedures. Can perform select procedures in clinical settings, and can anticipate and avoid potential errors.

 PCMC - 5

Demonstrate proficiency in navigating the electronic health record (EHR) to obtain and document information needed for patient care.

  • Does Not Meet: Unable to use electronic health records appropriately.
  • Phase 1 Benchmark: Begins to navigate the EHR and document basic notes in a responsible and ethical manner.
  • Phase 2 Benchmark: Obtains all information from the EHR needed for good patient care. Writes EHR notes in a responsible, clear manner. Begins to responsibly use clinical decision support.
  • Phase 3 Benchmark: Obtains all information from the EHR needed for good patient care. Documents care in a responsible, concise, clear manner. Uses clinical decision support, writes orders, and transitions care responsibly in straightforward situations using EHR tools.
  • Aspirational Behavior: Able to obtain all information from the EHR needed for good patient care. Documents care in a responsible, concise, clear manner. Uses clinical decision support, writes orders, and transitions care responsibly in complex situations using EHR tools. 

 PCMC - 6

Demonstrate the ability to counsel and educate patients and their families about health conditions and disease prevention.

  • Does Not Meet: Counseling is unclear
  • Phase 1 Benchmark: Counseling is clear and confirms understanding. Adheres to principles of counseling technique. Content of counseling is typically incomplete. 
  • Phase 2 Benchmark: Counseling is clear, correct, and confirms understanding. Adheres to principles of counseling technique. Content of counseling may be incomplete.
  • Phase 3 Benchmark: Counseling is clear, correct, complete, and confirms understanding. Adheres to principles of counseling technique. 
  • Aspirational Behavior: Counseling is clear, correct, complete, and confirms understanding. Adheres to principles of counseling technique and succeeds in challenging circumstances.

Learn More

Find all Feinberg Competency Standards, Anchors and Benchmarks.