Teaching Trust: VA Bedford-Backed Study Redefines How Clinical Skills Are Learned
By Leanna Lynch, Public Affairs Officer
A groundbreaking new study led by Dr. James Meisel of VA Bedford Healthcare System and Boston University’s Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine is redefining the way future clinicians learn bedside cardiac assessment—by teaching trust and humility alongside technical skills.
Published in Advances in Medical Education and Practice, the study explored how attitudes like humility impact learning and patient care. The curriculum, titled “Listen Before You Auscultate”, asked 268 medical students across four institutions to reflect on patient trust while mastering physical exam techniques. In this study, the authors explored how the curriculum supported clinical learning in a cohort of 67 of those students at Boston University. Students reported deeper engagement and more meaningful learning experiences.
“There was something we couldn’t quite identify about the way we were teaching bedside cardiac assessment,” said Dr. Meisel. “We realized that knowledge, skills, and attitudes work together—and that’s what we endeavored to teach.”
Dr. Ahmed Nahas, a co-author and former VA Boston/VA Bedford geriatrics fellow, reflected, “This project helped me see that humility isn’t just a personal trait—it’s a clinical skill. Listening deeply to patients builds trust, and trust builds better care.”
Dr. Isaac Opole, immediate past president of the American College of Physicians and co-author, emphasized the impact of the curriculum: “We often focus on what learners know and can do. This curriculum reminds us to ask who they are becoming.”
The research was supported by the VA Bedford Research Corporation (BRCI), where Executive Director Carmen Mincy exclaimed, “The Bedford VA Research Corporation is proud to partner with Dr. Meisel and the VA Bedford Healthcare System on education initiatives for clinical educators, trainees, Veterans, and caregivers, as a central part of our mission.”
This study exemplifies VA’s commitment to educating for the Nation and highlights VA Bedford’s role as a hub for innovation in health professions education.