Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42310635›Full record

ArticleBMC medical education2026

Towards patient-centered healthcare: a scoping review of soft skills training in medical schools.

Daniela Mariana Zagalo, Cristiana Palmieri, Noelle Resende, Teresa Costa, Rute Dinis de Sousa, Helena Canhão, Fernando A Bozza

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical education, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Daniela Mariana ZagaloCHRC, LA-REAL, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo Mártires da Pátria, Lisbon, 1301169-056, Portugal. mariana.zagalo@nms.unl.pt.
Cristiana PalmieriNOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo Mártires da Pátria, Lisbon, 1301169-056, Portugal.
Noelle ResendeCHRC, LA-REAL, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo Mártires da Pátria, Lisbon, 1301169-056, Portugal.
Teresa CostaNOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo Mártires da Pátria, Lisbon, 1301169-056, Portugal.
Rute Dinis de SousaNOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo Mártires da Pátria, Lisbon, 1301169-056, Portugal.
Helena CanhãoCHRC, LA-REAL, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo Mártires da Pátria, Lisbon, 1301169-056, Portugal.
Fernando A BozzaCHRC, LA-REAL, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo Mártires da Pátria, Lisbon, 1301169-056, Portugal.

Funding

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia LA/P/0117/2020
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

In response to the dynamic evolution of the medical profession, driven by digital transformation, demographic shifts, and global health challenges, medical schools are emphasizing the importance of soft skills alongside technical and digital expertise. This scoping review aimed to identify key concepts and core characteristics related to soft skills in medical literature. Following a comprehensive search across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, supplemented by a manual search and conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines, 218 articles were identified. After screening and full-text evaluation, 83 studies met the inclusion criteria. The analysis of the literature revealed three recurring thematic axes: (1) the global trend of incorporating soft skills into medical education; (2) the adoption of innovative andragogical strategies to foster the development of these competencies; and (3) the persistent obstacles and limitations that hinder the effective implementation of soft skills training in medical curricula. The review identified critical research gaps and priority areas to strengthen the integration of soft skills-related competencies in medical curricula. These findings highlight the need for targeted strategies to develop compassionate, culturally responsive physicians capable of delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. By synthesizing current evidence and mapping key themes and limitations, this review provides a foundation for future educational interventions and policy development in soft skills training.

Indexed as

Clinical CompetenceEducation, MedicalPatient-Centered CareSchools, MedicalCurriculumHumansClinical PracticeCognitive SkillsCommunication SkillsEmotional IntelligenceHumanismInterpersonal SkillsMedical EducationMedical EthicsPatient-Centered HealthcareQuality of Health Care

Identifiers

PMID42310635
PMCPMC13508354

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.