A. Competencies

I. Medical and Scientific Knowledge. Demonstrate knowledge about established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological and social-behavioral sciences and apply this knowledge in caring for patients.

II. Patient Care and Prevention. Demonstrate patient care that is compassionate, appropriate and effective for the promotion of health, prevention of illness, treatment of disease and the end of life.

III. Professionalism and Self-awareness. Demonstrate a commitment to professional service, adherence to ethical principles, sensitivity to diverse patient populations, and awareness of one’s own interests and vulnerabilities.

IV. Practice-Based, Life-Long Learning. Demonstrate the ability to appraise and assimilate scientific evidence and methods to investigate, evaluate and improve one’s own patient care practices.

V. Systems-Based, Inter Professional Practice. Demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context of health care and the ability to call on system resources and other health care professionals to provide optimal care.

VI. Interpersonal and Communication Skills. Demonstrate effective understanding, information exchange, and teamwork with patients, their families, and other health professionals.

B. Competency-Based Objectives

I. Medical and Scientific Knowledge. Demonstrate knowledge about established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological and social-behavioral sciences and apply this knowledge in caring for ill and healthy patients of all ages. Specifically, the student must demonstrate:

1. Knowledge of the normal structure and function of the body, from individual organ systems to the integrated whole, to include developmental and aging processes.

2. Knowledge of the molecular, biochemical, and cellular mechanisms that underlie body function.

3. Knowledge of genetic, developmental, metabolic, toxic, microbiological, psychological, immunologic, autoimmune, neoplastic, degenerative, and traumatic causes of illness.

4. Knowledge of the altered structure and function (pathology and pathophysiology) of the body and its major organ systems.

5. Understanding the scientific method and its application in establishing the cause of disease and the efficacy of traditional and nontraditional therapies.

6. Knowledge of the economic, psychological, social, environmental and cultural determinants of health and illness.

7. Knowledge of the epidemiology of common illnesses within defined populations, the systematic approaches used in reducing the incidence and prevalence, as well as the prevention of those illnesses within cultural and socioeconomic context.

8. Knowledge of the principles of pharmacology and therapeutic decision- making.

9. Knowledge of the principles of emerging disciplines (e.g. genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics).

10. Knowledge of the scientific principles underlying diagnostic methodologies, clinical, laboratory, pathologic, and imaging, and the ability to use them appropriately.

B. Competency-Based Objectives, cont’d

II. Patient Care and Prevention. Demonstrate patient centered care that is compassionate, appropriate and effective for the promotion of health, quality of life, prevention of illness, treatment of disease, and the end of life. Specifically, students must:

1. Treat patients with respect for their privacy, dignity, individual integrity and culture.

2. Obtain an accurate and complete medical, social and occupational history that includes issues specific to age, gender, culture and socioeconomic status.

3. Perform a complete and symptom-focused examination, as appropriate, including a mental status examination.

4. Perform routine technical procedures.

5. Interpret the results of commonly used diagnostic procedures.

6. Demonstrate appropriate deductive reasoning in solving clinical problems.

7. Construct appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients with common acute and chronic conditions.

8. Demonstrate shared decision-making model of patient care.

9. Demonstrate the ability to use preventive medical strategies in patient care in conjunction with other healthcare professionals.

10. Recognize patients with life-threatening conditions and institute appropriate initial therapy.

11. Recognize and outline an initial course of management for patients with serious conditions requiring critical care.

12. Demonstrate knowledge of the mechanisms and modalities used to relieve pain and suffering.

13. Identify factors that place individuals at risk for disease or injury; select appropriate tests for detecting specific diseases or early stages of disease; and determine strategies for responding appropriately.

C. Competency-Based Objectives, cont’d

III. Professionalism and Self-Awareness. Demonstrate a commitment to professional service, adherence to ethical principles, sensitivity to diverse patient populations, and awareness of one’s own interests and vulnerabilities.

Specifically students must:

1. Apply the theories and principles that govern ethical decision-making and address the major ethical dilemmas in medicine, particularly those that arise at the beginning and end of life.

2. Recognize one’s own biases in ethical decision-making.

3. Adhere to principles of confidentiality, scientific and academic integrity, and informed consent.

4. Demonstrate respect, compassion, integrity and altruism in relationships with patients, families and colleagues.

5. Advocate the interests of one’s patients over one’s self.

6. Understand the financial, organizational and other conflicts of interest inherent in the practice of medicine.

7. Recognize and accept limitations to one’s knowledge and clinical skills and strive continuously to improve them, and seek appropriate assistance when necessary.

8. Demonstrate a commitment to serve communities and society, and care for members of traditionally underserved populations.

9. Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to the gender, age, culture, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, beliefs, behaviors and disabilities of patients and professional colleagues, including awareness of one’s own cultural perspective.

10. Demonstrate awareness of one’s own personal vulnerabilities; seek help and advice when needed and develop appropriate coping strategies.

11. Seek and respond appropriately to performance feedback.

12. Maintain effective balance of personal and professional commitments.

C. Competency-Based Objectives, cont’d

IV. Practice-Based, Life-Long Learning. Demonstrate the ability to appraise and assimilate scientific evidence to evaluate and improve patient care practices. Specifically, students must:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the principles and methodologies of continuous learning of relevant scientific and clinical advances, educating oneself and one’s patients, and making decisions relevant to the care of individuals and populations.

2. Search for new evidence regarding diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of specific diseases, and integrate this knowledge into patient care.

3. Apply knowledge of study designs and statistical methods to the appraisal of clinical studies and other information on diagnostic and therapeutic effectiveness.

4. Use electronic databases and other resources to access, manage and utilize biomedical information for solving clinical problems.

5. Develop and maintain a willingness to self-assess, learn from error, and use errors to improve processes of care.

6. Apply Evidence-Based Medicine to locate, appraise and assimilate “best practices” in relation to patients’ health problems.

C. Competency-Based Objectives, cont’d

V. Systems-Based, Inter Professional Practice. Demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context of health care and be able to call on system resources and other health care professionals to provide optimal care. Specifically, students must:

1. Cooperate, collaborate, communicate, and work in teams to ensure that care is continuous and reliable; acknowledge and respect the roles of other health professionals in providing needed services to individual patients and communities.

2. Understand the health needs of a community and population and how they are prioritized.

3. Understand the limitations and opportunities inherent in various practice types and delivery systems, including methods of controlling health care costs and allocating resources so that the quality of care is not compromised.

4. Understand the importance of evidence-based, cost-benefit analyses for improving the prevention, diagnosis, and management of diseases.

5. Advocate for quality of care and assist individual patients in dealing effectively with complex health care systems.

6. Demonstrate knowledge of practice management.

7. Identify and address systematic practices that increase the risk for patients.

C. Competency-Based Objectives, cont’d

VI. Interpersonal and Communication Skills. Demonstrate effective understanding, information exchange, and teamwork with patients, their families, and other health professionals. Specifically, students must:

1. Demonstrate the ability to sustain therapeutic, ethically sound, respectful professional relationships with patients, their families, and colleagues.

2. Use effective listening, questioning, nonverbal, and writing skills to communicate with patients, families and professional associates, seeking assistance when necessary (e.g. call an interpreter).

3. Maintain comprehensive, timely, and legible medical records.

4. Work effectively with others as a member of a health care team or other professional group.

5. Demonstrate techniques of conflict-management.

6. Demonstrate effective communication of scientific and medical information to educate patients and their families, as well as colleagues.

7. Be able to communicate with patients and their families about all aspects of their well-being.