Dealing with diversity: stepping backwards to see the whole picture

We agree that the aim should be to train patient-centred doctors. In our opinion, and that of others, this does not mean that one must, as a doctor, share all information and all decisions with the patient. Patient-centredness is actually about taking into account the needs, beliefs and cultures of individual patients. Therefore, we would like to stress again that there is a need for all students to develop a wider repertoire of communication styles in order to meet the needs of a diverse patient population. In the training of this patientcentredness in our students, it will be necessary to take the diversity of the student body into account as ethnic differences in student attitudes regarding patient-centredness have been found.