Basic science training is certainly crucial for future physicians (“Science for physicians,” M. Cooke, Editorial, 24 September, p. [1573][1]). Effective patient care requires physicians to keep pace with change in the natural sciences. However, clinical practice also requires the recognition that social sciences are equally important. Incorporating good social science involves more than establishing health values ([ 1 ][2]) and economics, and acknowledging diversity. Rather, physicians must understand patient autonomy and be sensitive to each patient's unique preferences and experience ([ 2 ][3], [ 3 ][4]). Excessive focus on natural science education, including the technologies underlying “personalized” genetic medicine, could further dehumanize care. In the past decade, treatments have improved spectacularly in all oncology subdisciplines, yet patient concerns, distress, and satisfaction ratings have remained unchanged ([ 4 ][5]). Understanding the relevant natural science does not necessarily translate into a physician's ability to communicate with patients, nor does it guarantee informed consent. The most basic education for a physician is learning to develop a helpful and caring relationship with every patient. 1. [↵][6]1. M. G. M. Hunink 2. et al ., Decision-Making in Health and Medicine—Integrating Evidence and Values (Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, 2001). 2. [↵][7]1. E. C. Hui 1. G. W. Jones , in Questions of Right and Wrong, E. C. Hui , Ed. (Regent College, Vancouver, 1994), pp. 140–155. 3. [↵][8]1. D. L. Sackett, 2. W. M. C. Rosenberg, 3. J. A. M. Gray, 4. R. B. Haynes, 5. W. S. Richarson , Br. Med. J. 312, 71 (1996). [OpenUrl][9][FREE Full Text][10] 4. [↵][11]Cancer Quality Council of Ontario, Patient Experience ( ). [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1197542 [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: #ref-3 [5]: #ref-4 [6]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1 in text [7]: #xref-ref-2-1 View reference 2 in text [8]: #xref-ref-3-1 View reference 3 in text [9]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DBMJ%26rft.stitle%253DBMJ%26rft.aulast%253DSackett%26rft.auinit1%253DD.%2BL%26rft.volume%253D312%26rft.issue%253D7023%26rft.spage%253D71%26rft.epage%253D72%26rft.atitle%253DEvidence%2Bbased%2Bmedicine%253A%2Bwhat%2Bit%2Bis%2Band%2Bwhat%2Bit%2Bisn%2527t%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1136%252Fbmj.312.7023.71%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F8555924%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [10]: /lookup/ijlink/YTozOntzOjQ6InBhdGgiO3M6MTQ6Ii9sb29rdXAvaWpsaW5rIjtzOjU6InF1ZXJ5IjthOjQ6e3M6ODoibGlua1R5cGUiO3M6NDoiRlVMTCI7czoxMToiam91cm5hbENvZGUiO3M6MzoiYm1qIjtzOjU6InJlc2lkIjtzOjExOiIzMTIvNzAyMy83MSI7czo0OiJhdG9tIjtzOjI0OiIvc2NpLzMzMC82MDA2LzkxMi4zLmF0b20iO31zOjg6ImZyYWdtZW50IjtzOjA6IiI7fQ== [11]: #xref-ref-4-1 View reference 4 in text