Education
About Our Innovative Education
The 3-Act Model: A Narrative Approach to Goals of Care Conversations
📘Studies show the 3-Act Model enhances learner proficiency in both simulated and real clinical encounters and is the preferred method among trainees.
🏆 Recipient of the 2022 Outstanding Educational Program Award – JH Institute for Excellence in Education
A goals of care conversation explores a seriously ill patient’s values, beliefs, and priorities in the context of their medical condition, aiming to align care with what matters most. Drawing on principles of narrative medicine, our team developed the 3-Act Model, a novel, story-based framework for these conversations.
Key Publications
- Narrative Approach to Goals of Care Discussions: Assessing the Use of the 3-Act Model in the Clinical Setting (Roberts, Wright, Dy, Wu) – J Pain Symptom Manage
- Integrating Narrative Goals of Care in the ICU: Educational and Clinical Outcomes (Chatterjee, Roberts, Wu, Ahluwalia, Wright)
- Adapting the 3-Act Model for Online Training (Roberts, Mehta, McWhirter, Dy, Wright, Wu) – JPSM
Educational Programs
🎓Faculty Development: Leading Artful Goals of Care Conversations
An in-depth, multi-modal CME course for JHSOM faculty focused on mastering the 3-Act Model and leading high-quality, values-based goals of care discussions. To learn more or register, Email Us.
🗓️ Two-Week Elective
Offered year-round to JHSOM fellows by our award-winning inpatient interprofessional consult team. Runs Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. For scheduling and info, Email Us.
📚 Embedded Curriculum
3-Act Model content is integrated into both the BVGIM Evidence-Based Medicine and Residency Program Foundations curricula.
“Your ‘art of conversation’ and the 3-Act approach were a godsend. Doctors who use these skills are a blessing to patients and families. Show new doctors how to be great—and experienced ones how to be even greater.”
"Having this structure to implement narrative medicine and reassure patients and their families we are advocating and delivering compassionate and equitable care."