Fig. 1

 A conceptual model of self-directed learning (SDL) in the clinical setting based on analysis of 15 medical student interviews. Patient care served as the central organizing element for student learning. The six steps shown outside the circle here are drawn from Knowles’ learning model, and the three overarching categories of “Person, Process, and Context” model are drawn from Hiemstra and Brockett. Step 6, “Building a framework,” and specific elements in each step are drawn from student descriptions of SDL