Technical Standards

Medical students must be able to observe demonstrations, experiments and personal encounters in the classroom, small group, large group and clinical settings. These experiences may include, but are not limited to, dissection of cadavers, physiologic and pharmacologic demonstrations, and microscopic studies of microorganisms and tissues in normal and pathologic states. A candidate must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand. Candidates must be able to accurately acquire information from patients and assess findings. They must be able to perform a complete physical examination in a timely fashion in order to integrate findings based on this information and to develop an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan. These skills require the use of vision, hearing and touch, or the functional equivalent. In addition, medical students must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.

Medical students must be able to communicate and observe people in a variety of settings. In particular, students must be able to interact with patients in order to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and perceive nonverbal communications. Medical students must be able to communicate effectively, sensitively and rapidly with peers, faculty, staff, members of the health care team and patients. They must be able to give and receive constructive feedback. Medical students must demonstrate the ability to process feedback and utilize it to conform their behavior to expected professional standards. Candidates and students must be able to read and write in standard format and must be able to interact with computers in rendering patient care. Candidates must be able to obtain a medical history in a timely fashion, interpret non-verbal aspects of communication and establish therapeutic relationships with patients. Candidates and students must be proficient in English in order to be able to prepare a legible patient workup and present the workup orally in a focused manner to other health care professionals.

Candidates should have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion and other diagnostic maneuvers. By the completion of training, a candidate must have the ability to perform both a complete and an organ system-specific examination, including a mental status examination.  Additionally, candidates completing training  must have the ability to perform routine technical procedures, including but not limited to, venipuncture, inserting an intravenous catheter, arterial puncture, thoracentesis, lumbar puncture, inserting a nasogastric tube, inserting a Foley catheter and suturing lacerations. A candidate should be able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Examples of emergency treatments include, but are not limited to, adult and pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (including two-rescuer scenarios and use of the bag mask), the opening of obstructed airways, automated external defibrillation, the administration of intravenous medication, application of pressure to stop bleeding, and the performance of simple obstetrical maneuvers. Such actions require quick and immediate reaction. Coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision are required.

Medical students must be able to integrate information received by whatever sense(s) employed. They must be able to problem-solve rapidly. This critical skill demanded of physicians requires the ability to learn, to reason, to integrate, to analyze and to synthesize data concurrently in a multi-task setting where there may be a high level of stress and distraction. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of physicians, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, the candidate should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures. Candidates and students must possess a range of skills that allows mastery of the complex body of knowledge that comprises a medical education. Candidates and students must be able to recall large amounts of information, perform scientific measurements and calculations, and understand and cognitively manipulate three-dimensional models. Candidates and students must be able to learn effectively through a variety of modalities, including but not limited to, classroom instruction, small group discussion, demonstration and observation of skills, individual and collaborative study of materials, preparation and presentation of written and oral reports, and use of computer-based technology. Candidates and students must exhibit reasoning abilities sufficient to analyze and synthesize information from a wide variety of sources. The ultimate goal of the student will be to render patient care by solving difficult problems and making diagnostic and therapeutic decisions in a timely fashion. Candidates must be fully alert and attentive at all times in clinical settings.

A candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients and the care team. Medical students must demonstrate empathy and concern for others while respecting appropriate personal and professional boundaries. Medical students must demonstrate integrity as manifested by truthfulness, acceptance of responsibility for one’s actions, accountability for mistakes, and the ability to place the well-being of the patient above their own when necessary. They must be able to tolerate demanding workloads and to function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the medical education and clinical practice settings. The candidate must be willing to interview, physically examine and provide care to all patients regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, culture, religion or sexual orientation.