In this episode, I’m joined by Nancy Selfridge, a physician, educator, and longtime leader in medical education, for an in-depth discussion on how medical students actually learn—and why so many struggle despite working hard. Drawing from decades of experience in both clinical practice and academic medicine, Dr. Selfridge shares insights into standards, assessment, student culture, and the critical gap between what faculty expect and what learners experience.

We explore what happens when teaching is truly patient-centered, why popularity is often mistaken for effectiveness in education, and how outcomes—not opinions—ultimately determine whether an approach works. This conversation also examines the role of discipline, focus, communication, and accountability in developing real clinical judgment, as well as why strong foundations matter far more than short-term comfort. If you’re a medical student, resident, educator, or lifelong learner looking to understand how to think more clearly and learn more efficiently, this episode provides a framework grounded in experience, results, and evidence.

Follow the podcast for more expert conversations on medical education, clinical reasoning, and mastering medicine through clarity and structure.

Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-IJrJ91TnUI

Buy the textbook:
Volume 1 - https://www.amazon.com/clinical-pathophysiology-comlex®-medical-companion/dp/b0cf4j4bp2?utm_medium=social&utm_source=spotify&utm_campaign=spotify_description

Volume 2 - https://www.amazon.com/clinical-pathophysiology-comlex®-medical-companion/dp/b0cdz2qhhy/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=spotify&utm_campaign=spotify_description

Follow me on social: @drphiliptisdall