Approved by CMS Academic Assembly May 3, 2011

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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 how one’s own limitations, personal biases, and vulnerabilities may influence the delivery of patient care and how to strive to overcome these limitations and seek appropriate assistance when necessary.

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. 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.

6. Seek and respond appropriately to performance feedback.

7. Demonstrate an awareness of the need to serve communities and society and care for members of traditionally underserved populations.

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

2. Apply current technology to access, manage, and use biomedical information for solving clinical problems.

3. Develop the ability to self-assess and demonstrate a willingness to engage in reflective practice.

4. Provide constructive feedback to peers/ colleagues aimed at fostering professional growth and improving patient care.

5. Appraise and apply Evidence-Based Medicine in the context of patient care.

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. Identify one’s own role on the healthcare team and how it is complementary to other health professionals in the delivery of patient care.

2. Recognize when and how to initiate the assistance of other healthcare providers in the context of patient care (e.g. escalation of care to another department or superior, medical interpreter or respiratory therapist, etc.) 

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

6. Identify how to assist individual patients in dealing effectively with complex health care systems.

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 initiate and sustain professional relationships with patients and their families.

2. Demonstrate effective listening, questioning, verbal, nonverbal, and writing skills to communicate with patients and their families.

3. Prepare and organize comprehensive, timely, and legible medical records.

4. Provide effective education to patients and their families.

5. Demonstrate the ability to initiate and sustain professional relationships with the healthcare team.

6. Demonstrate effective verbal presentation and written skill to communicate with colleagues, superiors, and other members of the health care team.

7. Demonstrate an awareness of strategies used to manage conflict.