Medical Education Program Objectives

Goal statement: Develop, maintain, and apply the medical knowledge and problem-solving skills necessary for the care of patients and communities.

1.1 Develop and apply a foundational understanding of the biochemical basis of human life and normal biological structures and functions, including how they maintain homeostasis, adapt in response to internal and external challenges, and vary across the human lifespan.

1.2 Analyze how biological structures and processes are altered in disease states and apply this understanding to explain the mechanisms of disease, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

1.3 Develop an evidence-based, systematic approach to the evaluation of clinical problems.

1.4 Describe biopsychosocial determinants of health and how they impact individuals and communities.

1.5 Apply knowledge of the scientific method, including research design, statistical analysis, and data interpretation, to answer clinical questions.

Goal statement: Demonstrate compassionate, patient-centered, equitable, evidence-based care that is effective for treating health problems and promoting health.

2.1 Obtain an organized, accurate, and age-appropriate patient history utilizing multiple data sources as necessary.

2.2 Demonstrate complete and symptom-driven physical examinations using appropriate techniques and tools.

2.3 Identify the need for urgent or emergent intervention, seek help, and recommend initial evaluation and management.

2.4 Apply clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills to develop prioritized differential diagnoses.

2.5 Propose hypothesis-driven diagnostic testing using a patient-centered approach and interpret results.

2.6 Perform or assist with routine medical, diagnostic, and surgical procedures

2.7 Formulate patient-centered, evidence-based patient management plans for common acute and chronic conditions.

2.8 Formulate patient-centered, evidence-based patient management plans for disease prevention, health screening, promotion, and maintenance.

2.9 Adapt patient care equitably to situation, individual, interpersonal, and structural factors that impact health.

Goal statement: Utilize appropriate strategies and tactics to adapt behavior, foster improvement, and cultivate lifelong learning.

3.1 Locate, critically appraise, and synthesize information to support evidence-based, patient-centered clinical decisions.

3.2 Apply critical appraisal and best practice methods in the approach to medical uncertainty, emerging technologies, and rapidly evolving medical information.

3.3 Use feedback, evidence, and reflection for continuous improvement and life-long learning in the acquisition and application of medical knowledge.

3.4 Actively seek and use constructive feedback from faculty, patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals for continuous improvement.

3.5 Provide feedback in a respectful, constructive manner.

3.6 Demonstrate intellectual curiosity to continually pursue the knowledge and skills needed across a career in healthcare.

Goal statement: Demonstrate effective and empathetic communication and collaboration skills with patients, families, caregivers, and other team members to facilitate patient-centered, quality medical care and therapeutic relationships.

4.1 Collaborate with patients, families, caregivers, and team members to foster the therapeutic relationship.

4.2 Collaborate with team members, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals to support team function.

4.3 Demonstrate active listening with empathy to establish effective rapport and mutual understanding.

4.4 Adapt communication and interpersonal skills to an individual’s unique needs, values, preferences, and experiences, with particular attention to sensitive situations.

4.5 Communicate clearly and accurately in verbal, non-verbal, written, and electronic formats.

4.6 Use communication skills to effectively educate patients, families/caregivers, colleagues, and other members of the healthcare team.

Goal statement: Demonstrate professionalism and ethical behavior in all activities and conduct patient-centered care.

5.1 Fulfill responsibilities thoroughly, reliably, and in a timely manner.

5.2 Demonstrate compassion, integrity, and respect for patients, caregivers, families, communities, populations, colleagues, and team members.

5.3 Demonstrate cultural humility, promote inclusivity, and respect diversity among people.

5.4 Safeguard patient privacy, confidentiality, and autonomy.

5.5 Maintain a patient-centered focus in all aspects of medical care.

5.6 Weigh patient preferences, quality of life, contextual features, legal constraints, ethical principles, and medical indications when reaching medical decisions.

Goal statement: Apply knowledge of the larger context of health to optimize care for patients, communities, and populations.

6.1 Describe the role healthcare systems play in the larger context of structural and social determinants of health.

6.2 Compare and contrast the various ways healthcare is organized, financed, and delivered.

6.3 Apply systems-based thinking to healthcare problems of quality, cost, and access.

6.4 Recognize opportunities for quality improvement in healthcare systems.

6.5 Use teamwork skills to coordinate with various professionals in diverse healthcare settings to achieve safe and effective patient care.

6.6 Evaluate the risks and benefits of using emerging technologies in health systems.

Goal statement: Integrate personal and professional values, and the skills used to maintain those values, into one’s professional identity as a physician.

7.1 Recognize the impact of personal physical and mental health on physician wellbeing, healthcare practice, and patient safety.

7.2 Employ appropriate self-care strategies, including seeking assistance when needed, to maintain physical and mental health.

7.3 Develop a professional identity by integrating effective professional attributes and behaviors with personal values.

7.4 Manage a balance between personal and professional identities, roles, and responsibilities.

Goal statement: Demonstrate service, advocacy, and leadership in the care of patients at the individual, community, and societal level, accounting for health disparities and nonbiological determinants of health.

8.1 Apply knowledge of public health principles, epidemiology, and the burden of disease to reduce health disparities.

8.2 Apply knowledge of social, environmental, and structural determinants of health to promote health equity in patient and population care and advocacy.

8.3 Engage in community-based service-learning that improves the health of individuals and populations through direct patient care, research, advocacy, and collaboration.