*The simplest explanation for competence, it cannot be itemized or atomized.* ##### what is it? “‘personal domain of occupational competence’, is indispensable to understand competence.” (Ten Cate et al., 2024, p. 96)![[CleanShot 2026-06-09 at 21.12.20.jpg]] (Ten Cate et al., 2024) ##### why does it matter? Efforts to identify the key elements of competence are challenged by the infinite and growing list. Could competence merely be this simple? Shouldn't we focus on [[psychological ownership]] of our own maintenance of skills? Who can decide what is important? And, as one becomes more specialized, one's competence becomes more and more situated in their context. ##### This reminds me of [[🐓 Idea Farm/🪾Deadfall/For myself only/Readwise/Books/The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People|The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People]], [[Forming Habits]], and the keys to a long and successful career include [[the hidden power of compounding]], and how compounding of positive habits builds competence ##### What would the opposite argument be? We must identify what cornerstone knowledge, skills, and attitudes provide the foundation upon which the practitioner remains competent. We must then periodically test those. The public deserves and demands it. tags: #note/idea | #on/competence | #on/work ##### Sources: Ten Cate, O., Khursigara‐Slattery, N., Cruess, R. L., Hamstra, S. J., Steinert, Y., & Sternszus, R. (2024). Medical competence as a multilayered construct. _Medical Education_, _58_(1), 93–104. [https://doi.org/10.1111/medu.15162](https://doi.org/10.1111/medu.15162)