Table 1.

The Generalist Approach

Ways of being—Readiness for the generalist way

  • Open stance (receptive to diverse perspectives and co-created knowledge)

  • Humility

  • Connection via key relationships

Ways of knowing—Training for the generalist way

  • Broad knowledge (of self, others, systems, the natural world and their interconnectedness)

  • Grounding (in specific knowledge and experience)

Ways of perceiving—Seeing the world in ways that foster integration

  • Scanning and prioritizing, then focusing on the highest priority

  • Focusing on the particulars while keeping the whole in view

Ways of thinking and doing—Prioritized, joined-up action

  • Engaging with the most important parts in context

  • Doing multiple low-level tasks to enable higher-level integrative action over time

  • Connecting

  • Iterating (between breadth/depth, subjective/objective, parts/whole, action/reflection)

  • Loving (putting another and a larger good before self)

  • Adapted from Stange KC. The generalist approach. Ann Fam Med 2009;7:198–203.5