OUR BROAD EDUCATIONAL GOALS

• To provide a comprehensive medical education leading to an M.D. degree;
• To prepare students for evidence-based medical practice in the changing healthcare environment of the 21st century;
• To produce compassionate physicians who are committed to practicing patient-centered, culturally sensitive healthcare in diverse communities, particularly underserved rural and urban communities;
• To provide a community based medical education that emphasizes the health care needs of the citizens of the state of Florida, particularly primary care and care for elderly populations.

KEY:   K=Knowledge     S=Skills      AB=Attitudes/Behaviors

To accomplish these goals we have developed educational programs incorporating the following competencies divided into knowledge, skills, attitudes/behaviors. Our students will:
 

Knowledge

K1	Recognize the scientific basis of health, disease, and medicine in the management of common and high impact medical conditions in contemporary society.
K2	Describe the development, structure and function of the healthy human body and each of its major organ systems at the macroscopic, microscopic, and molecular levels.
K3	Recognize and discuss the implications of altered structure and function (pathology and pathophysiology) of the body and its major organ systems that are seen in various diseases and conditions.
K4	Identify changes in the structure and function of the human body associated with the aging process and be able to distinguish normal changes associated with aging from those that denote disease.
K5	Describe the molecular basis of diseases and maladies and the way in which they affect the body (pathogenesis).
K6	Describe basic biobehavioral and clinical science principles used to analyze and solve problems related to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.
K7	Describe normal human psychosocial development across the life-span and recognize deviations requiring further evaluation and intervention.
K8	Describe the role of family, community, and culture as factors influencing patient presentations, interpretations of illness episodes and adherence to treatment recommendations.
K9	Recognize the implications of cultural, social, economic, legal, and historical contexts for patient care.
K10	Describe and discuss the implications of basic ethical principles, including confidentiality, informed consent, truth telling, and justice, for the care of patients.
K11	Describe strategies to support life-long learning via both print and electronic sources to assist in making diagnostic and treatment decisions (e.g., practice guidelines) and to remain current with advances in medical knowledge and practice (e.g., medical information data bases).
K12	Discuss the application of psychodynamic theories of human thought and behavior in describing and analyzing patient behavior.
K13	Demonstrate knowledge of the functional approach to managing chronic conditions, including knowledge of the impact of chronic illness on function.
K14	Demonstrate knowledge of the unique health care needs of ethnically diverse populations and communities.
K15	Demonstrate basic knowledge of the global health care delivery system in the community including physicians, hospitals, outpatient centers, home health agencies and the role of community agencies in that system.

Skills

S1	Demonstrate the ability to elicit accurate comprehensive and focused medical histories by employing techniques that facilitate the patient’s sharing of information.
S2	Demonstrate the ability to conduct both effective and accurate comprehensive and focused physical examinations and know when each is most appropriate.
S3	Demonstrate the appropriate use of laboratory tests and radiographic studies in making diagnostic and treatment decisions.
S4	Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the patient’s medical problems and to formulate accurate hypotheses to serve as the basis for making diagnostic and treatment decisions.
S5	Demonstrate the ability to formulate and implement a plan of care for both the prevention and treatment of disease and the relief of symptoms and suffering.
S6	Demonstrate the ability to employ a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to the care of patients that integrates biomedical and psychosocial considerations.
S7	Demonstrate the ability to educate patients about their health problems and to motivate them to adopt health promoting behaviors.
S8	Demonstrate the ability to build rapport and to employ active listening and relationship enhancing behaviors (e.g., empathic responding).
S9	Demonstrate the effective use of pharmocotherapeutic agents and other therapeutic modalities, while teaching patients the importance of preventive medicine, health promotion, and wellness.
S10	Demonstrate appropriate technique for performing routine procedures as specified below: assist or apply cast/splint (n=2); observe a circumcision (n=1); perform and interpret an EKG (n=3); perform an elliptical excision of a skin lesion (n=1); place a Foley catheter in a male and female (n=4); incise and drain an abscess (n=3); perform endotracheal intubation on a model or assist with patient intubation (n=1); place an IV line (n=2); perform a lumbar puncture (n=1); place an NG Tube (n=1); perform a Pap Smear (n=5); perform a vaginal delivery (n=1); perform a simple closure of a surgical skin wound (n=10); perform arterial puncture (n=1).
S11	Demonstrate the ability to acquire new information and data and to critically appraise its validity and applicability to one’s professional decisions, including the application of information systems technologies for support of clinical decision-making.
S12	Demonstrate the ability to organize, record, research, present, critique, and manage information.
S13	Demonstrate the ability to communicate compassionately and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with patients, their families, colleagues and others with whom physicians must exchange information in carrying out their responsibilities.
S14	Demonstrate the ability to work effectively as part of a health care team, with appreciation for the multiple contributions of other health care professionals and agencies to the health of the individual and the health of the community.
S15	Adopt a comprehensive, integrated approach to patient care incorporating relevant biomedical, psychological, and social/cultural factors.
S16	Demonstrate the ability to assess functional status and to plan and implement interventions to increase functional ability or limit disability.
S17	Recognize abilities and limitations; know when to request assistance.
S18	Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and method of Practice-Based Learning and Improvement that involves investigation and evaluation of one’s own patient care, appraisal and assimilation of scientific evidence, and improvements in patient care.
S19	Demonstrate appropriate technique for performing Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support.

Attitudes/Behaviors

AB1	Display the personal attributes of compassion, honesty, and integrity in relationships with patients, families, communities and the medical profession.
AB2	Exhibit well-developed interpersonal skills in providing information and comfort to patients and their families.
AB3	Exhibit appropriate value for the sensitive nature of the doctor/patient relationship and the importance of compassionate communication and active listening, with attention to the patient’s familial, cultural, and spiritual circumstances.
AB4	Demonstrate professionalism and high ethical standards in all aspects of medical practice, specifically competence, honesty, integrity, compassion, respect for others, professional responsibility and social responsibility.
AB5	Exhibit a capacity for self-evaluation, moral reflection and ethical reasoning to form the basis for a self-directed, lifelong engagement in the responsible, committed, compassionate practice of medicine.
AB6	Demonstrate social awareness and commitment to the welfare of underserved communities (rural, urban underserved, and elderly).
AB7	Demonstrate awareness of the health care needs of aging patients and a willingness to care for the elderly.
AB8	Demonstrate awareness of the unique health care needs of ethnically diverse populations and communities.
AB9	Demonstrate respect for the roles of other healthcare providers and of the need to collaborate with others in caring for individual patients and in promoting public health and community service.
AB10	Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the physician in working with community agencies for the benefit of his/her patients.

These are initial competencies of the Florida State University College of Medicine medical education program leading to the M.D. degree. The Medical School Objectives Project of the Association of American Medical Colleges describes the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes believed necessary for the practice of medicine in the 21st century and have served to guide the development of the objectives for the Florida State University College of Medicine.

The competencies were first adopted in December, 2000; revised and approved in August 2001; re-approved by the Curriculum Committee on June 5, 2002; and final re-approval was made by the Curriculum Committee on January 23, 2004.

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