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Graduation Competencies and Medical Education Program Objectives

Through completion of the academic curriculum and engaging in practical experiences, students are expected to master the following seven competency domains to fulfill the requirements of the M.D. degree:

Competency #1: Patient Care (PC)
Students must provide patient-centered care that is respectful, compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health.

  • PC01| Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with patients and families
  • PC02| Gather essential and accurate information in a logical and organized manner
  • PC03|Properly interpret clinical data to generate a prioritized differential diagnosis and a problem list
  • PC04| Formulate a patient care plan that includes appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions based on patient information, patient preference, and up-to-date evidence
  • PC05| Facilitate continuity throughout transitions of care
  • PC06| Assess and ameliorate patient pain and suffering
  • PC07| Assess and address health care maintenance and disease and injury prevention

Competency #2: Medical Knowledge (MK)
Students must demonstrate and apply knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological and social-behavioral sciences.

  • MK01| Apply knowledge of the normal structure and function of the body on the organ, cellular, molecular, and biochemical level
  • MK02| Synthesize and apply knowledge of altered structure and function of the body seen in disease states, and therapeutic approaches to them
  • MK03| Recognize and interpret the most frequent clinical, laboratory, radiologic and pathologic manifestations of illnesses
  • MK04| Apply principles of epidemiologic sciences to the care of patients and populations
  • MK05| Apply knowledge to develop and modify diagnostic and therapeutic plans

Competency #3: Interpersonal and Communication Skills (ICS)
Students must demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients and families of various backgrounds, beliefs, and values.

  • ICS01| Communicate effectively with patients and their families across a broad range of cultures, backgrounds, life experiences, and communication challenges
  • ICS02| Demonstrate respect, sensitivity, honesty, and compassion in communications with patients and families
  • ICS03|Educate and counsel patients, engaging in shared decision-making that respects personal expectations, values and preferences
  • ICS04| Integrate patient information and data into a clear and concise report that demonstrates clinical reasoning skills
  • ICS05| Record a timely and accurate medical record

Competency #4: Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC)
The student must demonstrate the ability to engage with other health care professionals in a manner that optimizes safe, effective patient- and population-centered care.

  • IPC01| Use the knowledge of one’s own role and those of other professions to appropriately assess and address the healthcare needs of the patients and populations served
  • IPC02|Collaborate with other health professionals to maintain a climate of mutual respect, shared values and a team approach to patient care

Competency #5: Practice-Based Learning and Improvement (PBLI)
The student must demonstrate the ability to evaluate one's care of patients, to appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and to continuously improve patient care based on that knowledge.

  • PBLI01| Demonstrate initiative and self-direction in learning
  • PBLI02| Apply the principles of evidence-based medicine to patient care and practice improvement
  • PBLI03| Demonstrate a commitment to reflection, self-improvement and responsiveness to feedback

Competency #6: Systems-Based Practice (SBP)
The student must demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care, as well as the ability to effectively utilize other resources in the system to provide optimal health care.

  • SBP01| Work effectively in various health care delivery settings and systems
  • SBP02| Incorporate considerations of cost awareness and risk-benefit analysis in patient care
  • SBP03| Advocate for quality patient care and optimal patient care systems
  • SBP04| Participate in identifying system errors and implementing potential systems solutions

Competency #7: Professionalism (PF)
The student must demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities in a responsive and compassionate manner as well as in adherence to ethical principles.

  • PF01| Demonstrate responsiveness to patient needs and advocate for those needs over one’s own interests and beliefs
  • PF02| Relate to others with respect, care, and compassion
  • PF03| Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and responsiveness to a diverse patient population
  • PF04| Demonstrate honesty, integrity, responsibility, accountability, and leadership
  • PF05| Demonstrate commitment to scholarship
  • PF06| Demonstrate a commitment to ethical principles, including patient privacy, and autonomy