Valedictory lecture Prof. Dr. Frank W.J.M. Smeenk

“Caring for tomorrow”

The farewell address, “Caring for Tomorrow,” describes how, throughout the speaker’s career, patient care, education, and research have been inextricably linked. Using patient case studies, the speech emphasizes that good care requires not only medical expertise but also other skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, communication, empathy, leadership, and so on. This realization, combined with modern insights in education, has significantly changed and improved the curricula of all postgraduate medical training programs. Examples mentioned include the implementation of competency-based training, clinical competency assessments (EPAs), and simulation-based education. Naturally, a safe learning and working environment must be central to this, with sufficient space for reflection and feedback, gradually increasing responsibility, and the ability to learn to work in a team, so that we can adequately prepare our trainees for the tasks of the future.

However, the speaker also foresees challenges for the future generation of physicians, such as balancing the rising demand for care with increasing workloads. Potential solutions to these challenges will be discussed.

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