Schoolwide Objectives

Students will establish therapeutic relationships with diverse patients through the lifespan; utilize the psychosocial and cultural context of the patient, which fosters effective communication; and recognize and discuss the importance of family dynamics in health care decision making.

Students will conduct effective interviews with patients and elicit complete and focused medical histories relevant to the chief concern; perform complete and focused physical examinations; identify components of the physical exam that are critical to the clinical presentation; identify abnormal findings; and relate differential diagnosis and examination findings.

Students will identify differential diagnoses for cardinal presentations; indicate appropriate evaluation plans; modify diagnostic strategies in response to test results; and develop appropriate management plants for patients using evidence-based medicine.

Students will evaluate a patient's level of understanding and its potential impact on education and counseling; use lay person terminology to explain disease processes and procedures; and develop approaches to counsel and educate patients and families, which are individualized to the patient/family situation.

Students will identify credible information sources for research and education and use best evidence to develop diagnostic and management plans and to provide patient education.

Students will perform basic life support; apply universal precautions; and perform designated procedures with proper techniques and consideration of patient's rights.

Students will identify risk factors for illness or injury within the context of the individual, the family, work, and the social environment; identify standardized approaches for changing health behavior; and describe regimens for health maintenance.

Students will identify and describe the components of patient centered care in practice environments; interact appropriately with other healthcare team members; and identify the many roles that health care members have in patient care.

Students will demonstrate knowledge of the molecular, biochemical, genetic and cellular mechanisms that are important in normal human development, aging, and in maintaining the body's homeostasis; the physical structure of the human body, of its tissues and organs, of how organs and tissues function, and how these functions are regulated and integrated, through the life cycle; the various acquired and congenital causes of disease or injury in individuals and in populations; how nutrition, health behaviors and preventive measures influence health and disease in individuals and in populations; the altered structure and function of the human body and its cells, tissues and organs, which are seen in various disease conditions or with aging, and of the fundamentals of diagnosis and treatment regimens that may be applied to address these conditions; the physical and functional determinants of human cognition, awareness, behavior and personality, of how alterations of these result in disease conditions, and of the fundamentals of diagnosis and treatment regimens that may be applied to address these conditions.; the power of the scientific method in establishing cause and effect in human health and disease, the efficacy of traditional and non-traditional therapies, and the ability to critically evaluate contemporary reports in basic and clinical sciences; and application of knowledge in the basic sciences fundamental to clinical practice, to the processes of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention in the clinic and in the community.

Students will demonstrate the ability to seek and identify credible data that addresses issues in basic sciences fundamental to clinical practice and in clinical practice itself, and to interpret that data; and demonstrate knowledge about established and evolving clinical biomedical sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care.

Students will assess their needs in basic science and clinical courses and establish strategies for improvement; develop reflective practice habits using analysis of academic and clinical experiences to improve clinical performance; demonstrate skills in self-directed learning by developing clinical questions about patients and using credible information sources to find relevant medical information to answer them; and determine the limits of their expertise and consult with others.

Students will systematically appraise and assimilate scientific evidence through reading of articles related to patient health.

Students will define basic epidemiological terms and concepts; identify the appropriate use of frequently used study designs; understand the application of basic biostatistical calculations; apply concepts of epidemiology and biostatistics for diagnostic screening, risk management, and therapeutic decision making; and obtain and use information about the patients they care for and the larger population of patients with similar clinical conditions to refine their diagnostic, management and prognostic elements.

Students will use credible information sources to locate information related to diagnostic and therapeutic clinical decision making; identify the appropriate use of frequently used study designs; understand the application of basic biostatistical calculations; critically appraise clinical trials; and describe the principles of prudent ordering of diagnostic and screening tests and use these principles in devising management plans.

Students will demonstrate facility with the use of information technology to meet learning demands, prepare for case discussions and engage in clinical reasoning.

Students will work collaboratively in small groups; participate in teaching activities; work collaboratively with students and other health care professionals; and appropriately share and elucidate clinical information.

Students will communicate respectfully with diverse patients; demonstrate appropriate behavior when interacting with patients and other health professionals providing care; demonstrate ethically appropriate interactions with patients; establish a therapeutic relationship with all patients and their families; and adapt their communication style to the individual needs of the patient and the urgencies of the situation.

Students will use techniques which foster effective communication including active listening, clarification of patient responses, encouragement of sharing concerns and questions; deliver information to patients with appropriate communication strategies including use of the explanatory model, assessing the patient's understanding with direct questioning, and with written instructions; conduct a culturally-competent encounter, including use of an interpreter when necessary; and create and maintain appropriate records of clinical encounters using standard terminology and formats, including written patient history and physicals, in-patient and out-patient encounter notes and case log information.

Students will participate effectively in small groups; participate effectively in clerkship clinical activities with attendings, residents, and other health professionals; provide concise, accurate, verbal summaries of patient situations to a faculty member, resident or peer, prioritizing the most significant factors for clinical decision-making; identify their responsibilities as members of a health care team; and establish effective communication among members of the health care team, including appropriate written and other communications.

Students will demonstrate preparedness for class, meetings and patient care activities; convey information honestly and tactfully; engage in truthful interactions with patients, peers, and in professional work; act and dress in a professional; maintain appropriate boundaries in work/learning/patient care situations; demonstrate respect for the wishes of patients; attend to patient needs for comfort and privacy; demonstrate respect in relationships toward other health care team members and patients; relate collegially to fellow students, faculty and staff in learning environments; will listen to others respectfully and attentively; resolve conflicts in a collegial manner; and demonstrate attitudes and behaviors which convey respect for other students, faculty and staff in all situations and will be receptive to diverse opinions and values.

Students will demonstrate self motivation and accountability for their own learning; be prepared for class and complete assignments in a timely manner; maintain good attendance and punctuality for scheduled activities and appointments; demonstrate initiative in fulfilling responsibilities to patients, and responsibility to others on the healthcare team; and perform tasks independently as appropriate to current level of training.

Students will not discriminate regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, intelligence and socio-economic status; react appropriately to other's lapses in conduct and performance; maintain the confidentiality of examination material; identify the principles of patient confidentiality, informed consent, and information sharing; and recognize the importance of ethical decision making.

Students will demonstrate sensitivity and respect in patient interactions regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, intelligence, and socio-economic status; and recognize the need for patient involvement in decision making and the incorporation of patients' values and beliefs into management plans.

Students will demonstrate self motivation and accountability for their own learning; seek help when needed; accept constructive criticism and modify behavior based on feedback; maintain responsibility for the physical and mental health of themselves and their peers; admit to errors of omission and commission and assume responsibility; inform a supervisor when mistakes occur; and maintain composure during difficult interactions

Students will participate effectively in small groups, discuss the interdisciplinary approach to improving health care, and identify the basic components of the health care system and their interdependencies; and participate effectively in clerkship clinical activities with attendings, residents, and other health professionals

Students will compare and contrast different types of medical practice and delivery systems and identify methods for allocation of resources and controlling health care costs; recognize that participation in patient care in various settings, (e.g., emergent/urgent care facilities, underserved clinics and communities, long-term care facilities and tertiary academic/community hospital settings) has unique priorities, opportunities and constraints that may affect health care; describe how different methods of cost control affect physicians' relationships with their colleagues, their patients, and society; and describe the strengths and shortcomings of the U.S. system for financing and delivering medical care, particularly to those from underserved/minority groups.

Students will learn principles of cost-effective health care and the allocation of resources and describe realities that enhance/ hinder implementation and recognize appropriate cost effective decision making and resource allocation.

Students will assess the health care needs of their patients and a community site; use effective communication strategies to educate and counsel patients in dealing with health care complexities and overcoming barriers to health care access; recognize appropriate consultation resources that can optimize patient care and management of health behaviors, including different physician specialties, other health care professionals, and community health agencies; and describe strategies to enhance collaboration of these resources

Students will recognize the importance of practice guidelines and quality improvement for patient safety; outline strategies for effective quality assurance, including partnership with other health care managers/providers and the utilization of information; and recognize the source of common medical errors and discuss strategies to address them.