Medical students are taught both the underpinning theory of, and the skills to operationalise a patient-centred approach, as required by the General Medical Council (1993). Yet research has shown that students become more doctor-centred and less patient-centred, in their approach towards patients, as they progress through medical school. In addition to this, it has been demonstrated there is a decline in both students' empathy with patients and their history taking skills, in particular regarding a patient's social history.