Competencies and Education Program Objectives (EPOs)

Graduates obtain appropriate histories; perform skillful, comprehensive, and accurate patient examinations; and develop appropriate differential diagnoses and management plans. Graduates will recognize and understand the principles for managing life-threatening situations. They will select, perform, and accurately interpret the results of laboratory tests and clinical procedures in order to provide patient-centered care that results in high-quality outcomes. By graduation medical students should be able to:

• PC-01 Gather essential and accurate information about patients and their conditions through history-taking, physical examination, and previous diagnostic tests results
• PC-02 Perform under supervision appropriate level procedures
• PC-03 Organize and prioritize responsibilities to provide care that is safe, effective, and efficient
• PC-04 Interpret laboratory data, imaging studies, and other tests required for the area of practice
• PC-05 Make informed decisions about diagnostic and therapeutic interventions based on patient information and preferences, up-to-date scientific evidence, and clinical judgment
• PC-06 Develop and conduct effective person-centered management plans
• PC-07 Counsel and educate patients and their families using non-medical jargon so they can engage in shared decision-making and actively participate in their plan of care
• PC-08 Provide appropriate referral of patients including ensuring continuity of care throughout transitions between providers or settings, and following up on patient progress and outcomes
• PC-09 Provide preventive and wellness health care services to patients, families, and communities to maximize the quality of life
  

Graduates apply problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to problems in basic science and clinical medicine. They demonstrate knowledge about (1) an established and evolving core of basic sciences, (2) application of sciences to patient care, and (3) investigatory and analytical thinking approaches. By graduation medical students should be able to:

• MK-01 Employ an investigatory and analytic approach to clinical situations
• MK-02 Apply established and emerging basic scientific principles fundamental to health care for individual patients and populations
• MK-03 Apply established and emerging principles of clinical science, evidence-based medicine, and clinical reasoning/problem solving to guide therapeutic decision-making
• MK-04 Apply epidemiological principles to identify health issues, risk factors, treatment options, and promote health equity and disease prevention for diverse populations 
• MK-05 Implement principles of social-behavioral sciences to the provision of patient care, including assessment of the impact of individual behavioral, psychosocial, and structural influences on health, disease, care-seeking, adherence to care, equity, and barriers to and attitudes toward care
• MK-06 Employ effective methods for locating, researching, and critically assessing reference materials and scientific literature to enhance their clinical decision-making and evidence-based practice
   

Graduates are prepared to practice medicine today and in the future within the context of society and its expectations. They use evidence-based approaches, demonstrating proficiency with information retrieval and critical appraisal of the medical literature to interpret and evaluate scientific and patient care information. They are dedicated to continuous learning within the science of healthcare delivery. They understand the limits of their own personal knowledge, remediate inadequacies to remain current, and integrate increased self-knowledge into their daily activities. At the time of graduation, students have not yet established a practice but should be able to:

• PBLI-01 Self-assess and identify personal and educational needs, select and utilize appropriate resources to optimize learning that addresses gaps in knowledge, skills or attitudes
• PBLI-02 Cultivate a continuous growth mindset, seeking out and incorporating constructive feedback
• PBLI-03 Locate, appraise, synthesize, and assimilate evidence from literature related to patient’s health problems and academic growth
• PBLI-04 Engage in collaborative learning and knowledge-sharing with peers, and health professionals
• PBLI-05 Proactively seek, evaluate, and share information to enhance the care of individual patients, patient populations, or communities

Graduates demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange and collaboration with patients, their families, and health professionals. They use effective communication skills with patients, families, and the community to educate and promote health and wellness. By graduation medical students should be able to:

• ICS-01 Communicate effectively showing compassion and active listening skills with patients, families, and the public, across a broad range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds
• ICS-02 Communicate effectively with colleagues and team members within one's profession or specialty, other health professionals, and health-related agencies, with respect for scope of practice
• ICS-03 Maintain accurate comprehensive, timely, medical records with attention to privacy and safety while adhering to legal and ethical standards
• ICS-04 Demonstrate sensitivity, honesty, and compassion in difficult conversations

Graduates are committed to carrying out professional responsibilities, demonstrating compassion, adhering to ethical principles, and are sensitive to diverse patient populations. Graduates respect patients, families, and professional colleagues and are advocates for improving access to care for everyone. By graduation medical students should be able to:

• PRO-01 Demonstrate the professional values, skills, and the attributes of a physician
• PRO-02 Commitment to excellence in patient care including placing the patient’s welfare above self-interest
• PRO-03 Safeguard respect for patient privacy, safety, and autonomy
• PRO-04 Uphold ethical principles in care provision, confidentiality, informed consent, and business practices, following all relevant laws and policies
• PRO-05 Demonstrate positive wellness behaviors and healthy coping mechanisms to respond to professional, personal, emotional, physical, and system stressors
• PRO-06 Recognize that ambiguity is part of clinical health care and respond by utilizing appropriate resources in dealing with uncertainty

Graduates demonstrate awareness of and responsiveness to the context and system of health and healthcare. They recognize health disparities and are able to effectively call on system resources to provide optimal care. Graduates are able to work with patients both as individuals and as members of communities and take this into account when performing risk assessments, assessing symptoms, diagnosing illnesses, making treatment plans, and considering the patient care and systems-level implications of their work. By graduation medical students should be able to:

• SBP-01 Work effectively within various healthcare systems, and settings
• SBP-02 Coordinate patient care within the healthcare system
• SBP-03 Advocate for quality patient care and health care policies that optimize patient care outcomes
• SBP-04 Identify and address system errors to improve patient safety and healthcare quality
• SBP-05 Explain and Apply basic principles of healthcare
• SBP-06 Identify the factors which impact health equity, including structural inequalities in healthcare access and quality, and apply to patient and community health
• SBP-07 Demonstrate the ability to critically appraise, and apply emerging health innovations, while assessing their impact on patient care, health outcomes, and healthcare delivery systems