TUFTS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE Institutional Educational Objectives The central aim of the School of Medicine is to produce highly competent, intellectually curious and caring physicians. To this end, physicians must possess the attributes that are necessary to meet their individual and collective responsibilities to society. In addition to the treatment of disease, we recognize our responsibility to educate doctors who can and will attend equally well to all aspects of health care, disease prevention, and promotion and maintenance of health. If medical education is to serve the goal of medicine, educators must develop learning objectives for medical education programs that reflect an understanding of those attributes. In this updated version of the objectives, each objective has been categorized within the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) six-competency framework. Using the descriptions below, each objective has also been identified as related to knowledge, skill, or attitude. KNOWLEDGE (K) Physicians must understand the scientific basis of medicine and be able to apply that understanding to the practice of medicine. They must have sufficient knowledge of the structure and function of the body and its organ systems, and of the molecular, cellular and biochemical mechanisms that maintain the body s homeostasis in order to comprehend disease and to incorporate wisely modern diagnostic and therapeutic modalities in their practice. They must understand the socio-ecologic factors that affect health, as well as the nature of medicine s social compact, the ethical precepts of the medical profession and their obligations under law. They must understand the necessity and responsibility for continuous learning, to remain current in their understanding of the scientific basis of medicine. SKILLS (S) Physicians must be highly skilled in providing care to patients. They must be able to obtain from their patients a complete and accurate medical history; to perform in a highly skilled manner a physical examination; to perform appropriate, clinically relevant diagnostic procedures; to obtain, interpret, and manage information from appropriate laboratory and imaging studies; and to seek consultation from other physicians and health professionals when indicated. Physicians must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with all patients and their families, and work collaboratively with other health providers as a member of a team. ATTITUDES, VALUES, AND BEHAVIOR (A) Physicians must be compassionate and empathic in caring for patients, and must be trustworthy and truthful in all of their professional dealings. They must bring to the study and practice of medicine those character traits, attitudes and values that underpin ethical medical care. Physicians behaviors must demonstrate the ethical precepts of the medical profession. They must strive for continuous learning, personal development, advancement of the profession and medicine s highest ideals, and the health of their patients and the communities they serve. At all times they must act with integrity, honesty, respect for patients privacy, and respect for the dignity of patients. In all of their interactions with patients they must demonstrate respect and compassion even when the patients beliefs and values differ from their own.
MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE (MK) describe the normal structure and function of the body and of each of its organ systems. (MK-1, K-1) describe the molecular, biochemical and cellular mechanisms that are important in maintaining the body s homeostasis. (MK-2, K-2) describe the various causes (genetic, developmental, metabolic, toxic, microbiologic, autoimmune, neoplastic, degenerative and traumatic) of maladies and the ways in which they operate on the body. (MK-3, K-3) describe the altered structure and function (pathology and pathophysiology) of the body and its major organ systems that are seen in various diseases and conditions.(mk-4, K-4) describe the most frequent clinical, laboratory, roentgenologic and pathologic manifestations of maladies. (MK-5, K-5) describe the epidemiology of important maladies within a defined population, and the systematic approaches useful in reducing the incidence and prevalence of those maladies.(mk-6, K-6) describe how an understanding of social sciences is important to patient care. (MK-7, K-7) describe the scientific methods used to establish the mechanisms of disease and efficacy of traditional and non-traditional therapies. (MK-8, K-8) describe the important socio-ecologic determinants of poor health and of the economic, psychologic, social and cultural factors that contribute to the development and/or persistence of maladies. (MK-9, K-9) PATIENT CARE (PC) obtain an accurate medical history that covers all essential aspects of the history. (PC-1, S-1) perform both a complete and problem-focused examination. (PC-2, S-2) perform routine technical procedures as periodically defined by the Medical School. (PC-3, S-3) interpret the results of commonly used diagnostic procedures. (PC-4, S-4) reason deductively in solving clinical problems. (PC-5, S-5) construct appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic management strategies for patients with common conditions. (PC-6, S-6)
recognize patients with immediately life-threatening conditions, and know how to institute appropriate initial therapy. (PC-7, S-7) identify factors that place individuals at risk for disease or injury, select appropriate tests for detecting patients at risk for specific diseases or in the early stage of disease, and determine strategies for responding appropriately. (PC-8, S-8) demonstrate an understanding of patient-centered care, and how that is practically applied when making diagnostic and treatment decisions. (PC-9, A-1) demonstrate the ability to utilize information on individual variations in genetics, age, gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status when making diagnostic and treatment decisions, with appropriate sensitivity to the cultural needs of patients. (PC-10, A-2) demonstrate a concern for establishing the continuity of each patient s care including immediate follow-up care and long-term aspects. (PC-11, A-3) INTERPERSONAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS (ICS) communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with patients, patients families, colleagues, and others with whom physicians must exchange information in carrying out their responsibilities. (ICS-1,S-9) demonstrate sensitivity to patients of all ages, genders, ethnicities, and social classes. (ICS-2, S- 10) demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with patients of all ages, genders, ethnicities, social classes, and varying levels of health literacy. (ICS-3, S-11) demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain an effective rapport with patients and families. (ICS-4, S-12) counsel patients at a level appropriate for their health literacy on key topics that enhance health and treatment adherence. (ICS-5, S-13) offer constructive feedback to others in a tactful manner.(ics-6, A-4)
PROFESSIONALISM (P) describe the principles that govern ethical decision making, and of the major ethical dilemmas in medicine. (P-1, K-10) describe the principles and process by which professional licensure and certification are maintained. (P-2, K-11) demonstrate the willingness and ability to engage one's community to further enhance patient care and the health status of the community, and to better understand the culture in which they practice. (P-3, S-14) demonstrate the ability to maintain appropriate documentation of patient care activities. (P-4, S- 15) demonstrate compassionate treatment of patients, and respect for their privacy and dignity. (P-5, A-6) demonstrate honesty and integrity in all interactions with patients families, colleagues, and others with whom physicians must interact in their professional lives. (P-6, A-7) demonstrate a commitment to advocate at all times for the interests of one s patients over one s own interests.(p-7, A-8) demonstrate an understanding of the threats to medical professionalism posed by the conflicts of interest inherent in the changing financial and organizational arrangements in the practice of medicine. (P-8, A-9) demonstrate an understanding of the need to provide the highest quality of care to members of traditionally under-served populations and to patients independent of ability to pay. (P-9, A-10) demonstrate a recognition and maintenance of boundaries appropriate for an ethical doctorpatient relationship. (P-10, A-11) demonstrate an appropriate professional manner (physical appearance, dress, attendance, punctuality). (P-11, A-12) demonstrate an attitude of forthrightness and tactfulness in bringing medical improprieties to light through appropriate mechanisms. (P-12, A-13) demonstrate a willingness to recognize and be concerned about the habits, behaviors and/or mental states of colleagues and members of the health team that might compromise health, ability to carry out professional responsibilities or patient care. (P-13, A-14)
PRACTICE BASED LEARNING AND IMPROVEMENT (PBLI) apply knowledge of study designs and statistical methods to the appraisal of the healthcare literature and other information on diagnostic and therapeutic effectiveness. (PBLI-1, K-12) locate, appraise, and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related to their patient s health problems.( PBLI-2, K-13) demonstrate ability to reflect on one s professional performance, identify gaps and develop and implement plans to improve. (PBLI-3, S-16) demonstrate the willingness and ability to teach patients about their health, wellness, and diseases, to teach other health professionals as needed to advance patient care, and to teach and train future generations of physicians in the art and science of medicine. (PBLI-4, S-17) demonstrate ability to ask for, accept and incorporate formative feedback from external sources (supervisors, peers, other healthcare workers, patients) into their daily practice. (PBLI-5, S-18) improve continuously one s knowledge -this includes the ability to retrieve (from electronic databases and other resources), manage and utilize biomedical information for solving problems and making decisions that are relevant to the care of individuals and populations. (PBLI-6, S-19) SYSTEMS BASED PRACTICE (SBP) describe the various approaches to the organization, financing and delivery of health care including the barriers to gaining access to healthcare. (SBP-1, K-14) demonstrate understanding of medical costs and their impact on overall health (SBP-2, K-15) demonstrate an understanding that medical care is delivered in various settings and how the interplay between these affects overall health (SBP-3, K-16) demonstrate an understanding of the physician s role in coordinating care of the patient (SBP-4, K-17) demonstrate the ability to examine and suggest improvements in quality and safety practices. (SBP-5, S-20) demonstrate an understanding of, and respect for, the roles of other health care professionals, and of the need to collaborate with others in caring for individual patients and in promoting the health of defined populations.( SBP-6, A-15) demonstrate a willingness to collaborate and work as a member of a team. (SBP-7, A-16)