<p>There is a divide between the way trainees and experienced clinicians manage the consultation. Trainees are taught to use a proscribed history and examination format that has changed little whereas experienced clinicians use a flexible format in which the context, the patient, the problem and the information learnt determine the aims and initial focus of the consultation, and the questions asked and signs sought. Given the profound changes in medicine and patient knowledge and attitudes and to ensure trainees are able to adapt to future changes such as AI, it is time to bridge the clinical divide.</p>