Table 2 Opportunities for alignment of LPPD with other areas of the curriculum. These examples show the opportunity for beneficial learning outcomes within the entire curriculum. The students use competencies learned and trained through LPPD to strengthen the effectiveness of the learning process in other parts of the curriculum

LPPD: opportunities for alignment with other activities in the (bio)medical curriculum enriches learning outcomes

In the context of the science program: students conduct a scientific project in collaboration with 3–6 of their peers. The roles, task and project management, and difficulties that they face during this collaboration and their academic skills training are discussed in coaching groups. They learn to respect the other and to commit to diversity in both people and process.

In the context of practical skills training: students learn what it means to do a physical examination, how it feels to examine patients (empathy and sympathy), how to begin and maintain a relationship, and how to navigate privacy issues and uncertainties, etc. In the coaching groups, they discuss how to relate to these issues and how to reflect on these experiences for personal and professional identity formation.

In the context of the mechanisms of diseases: students attend lectures and working groups. Within the coaching group, students encourage each other to explore learning strategies. They recognize the benefits of peer-assisted learning and learning communities in motivating them to participate in learning activities. Students discuss critical thinking, how to consult an expert, the power of peer-assisted learning, and how to identify a suitable learning strategy.

In the context of early patient contacts: students explore the patient experiences in the healthcare system. They explore the individual person behind the patient and the societal perspective on healthcare. In the coaching groups, students share their experiences with these real patients to facilitate transformative learning.

In the context of a chosen minor program: Self-determination is encouraged through the coaching groups. Students verbalize the stress generated by the making of choices, and they get to work on personal leadership in small group teaching.