Journal Club - Session 3

 

In this Journal Club, we will be reviewing the following paper:

 

Feddock, C.A. (2007). The lost art of clinical skills. The American Journal of Medicine, 120(4), pp.374–378.

 

Article Summary

Feddock explores the decline of traditional clinical skills in modern medical education, highlighting a growing reliance on diagnostic technologies at the expense of physical examination and bedside assessment. He argues that while technological advances have undoubtedly improved diagnostic capabilities, they may inadvertently erode essential clinician-patient interactions and reduce the value placed on careful clinical observation.

 

Discussion prompts

When writing your forum post this week, reflect on the educational themes raised in the article:

  • Feddock highlights a decline in the teaching of clinical skills. In your experience, what factors may have contributed to this shift in medical education?
  • How were clinical skills taught during your own training? Which approaches were most effective, and how might they inform your teaching today?
  • What strategies have you used, or could you use, to create meaningful learning opportunities for clinical skills in busy, tech-driven environments?
  • How can we help learners appreciate the value of bedside skills in an era where diagnostic technology often dominates clinical decision-making?

Feel free to include a specific example from your teaching, a question you’re grappling with, or an idea you’d like to try out based on the article.

 

Interacting with others

Once you've posted your reflection, take time to engage with your peers’ posts. Here are some suggestions for interaction:

  • Highlight a shared experience or perspective
  • Ask a probing question, such as: “What strategies do you use to keep bedside skills central in your teaching?” or “How do you balance tech use with clinical observation?”
  • Share a practical teaching tip or resource related to teaching clinical skills (e.g. a bedside checklist, a useful video, or a simulation tool)

 

Feddock’s article invites us to think about what makes clinical practice not just technically proficient, but meaningfully human. This week is a chance to reflect on how we learned clinical skills, how we teach them and how we can advocate for their continued relevance in a changing healthcare landscape.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Last modified: Tuesday, 5 August 2025, 1:15 PM