Basic science educators play a vital, yet often underrecognized, role in shaping the competencies and professional identity of future physicians. Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) calls for intentional alignment between teaching behaviors and defined outcomes such as professionalism, critical thinking, lifelong learning, and systems-based practice. At the 2024 IAMSE Conference, Dr. Alison Whelan made a call to action during her plenary talk about the role of basic science educators in supporting CBME. This focus session is an extension of this plenary talk to explore how educators’ everyday actions, inside and outside the classroom, serve as powerful role modelling opportunities. Using small-group discussions, reflective exercises, and case-based activities, the agenda includes an introduction to CBME and the key principles of role modelling, small-group case discussions on real-world scenarios, reflective activities to identify personal teaching behaviors, and a large-group debrief to share practical strategies for integrating CBME principles into education practices. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how role modelling supports competency development and a personal action plan for intentional role modelling in their educational settings.

Learning Outcomes

1. Define key principles of CBME and role modelling.
2. Identify core competencies (e.g., professionalism, lifelong learning, systems thinking) that basic science educators can actively model.
3. Reflect on and articulate specific ways they currently serve as role models for medical students.
4. Collaborate with peers to generate ideas for integrating CBME-aligned role modelling into their education practices
5. Create a personal action plan that identifies at least one behavior or approach they will adopt or refine to better serve as a CBME-aligned role model at their institution.