This document outlines a 5-step process for conducting a patient-centered medical interview: 1) Setting the stage, 2) Obtaining the patient's agenda, 3) Opening with a patient-centered history of present illness, 4) Continuing the history of present illness using open-ended questions and empathy skills, and 5) Transitioning to the middle portion of the interview. The first 4 steps emphasize understanding the patient's full context and story through open-ended inquiry, empathy, and building rapport. This approach aims to improve outcomes by ensuring the patient's concerns are addressed, empowering them, and establishing trust in the patient-clinician relationship.