MD Program Program Objectives and Graduation Competencies

Drexel University College of Medicine Graduation Competencies

Patient Care (PC 1-11)

Trainees must be able to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health in all patients across the lifespan.

PC-1. Demonstrate the ability to perform an accurate and thorough history, elucidating the biopsychosocial factors contributing to the onset and persistence of a patient’s illness.
PC-2. Perform a relevant and accurate physical and mental examination.
PC-3. Choose diagnostic, management and therapeutic interventions based on sound reasoning in the context of evidence-based medicine.
PC-4. Involve patients as active participants in the shared decision-making process and the care plan, ensuring that one respects personal expectations, values and preferences.
PC-5. Utilize appropriate family and community resources in caring for patients.
PC-6. Demonstrate the ability to participate in patient care to patients across a range of
social backgrounds.
PC-7. Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively with all members of a health care team.
PC-8. Recognize personal limitations of knowledge and skills and seek help appropriately.
PC-9. Recognize and initiate management of life-threatening conditions.
PC-10. Acquire the technical skills to perform common medical procedures
PC-11. Identify and address the relationship of psychosocial drivers of health.

Medical Knowledge (MK 1-8)

Trainees must demonstrate knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological and social-behavioral sciences, as well as the application of this knowledge to patient care.

MK-1. Demonstrate basic knowledge of normal structure, development and function of organ systems and the body as a whole in the context of health and disease.
MK-2. Identify the molecular, biochemical and cellular mechanisms important in maintaining health and that contribute to pathophysiology of disease.
MK-3. Describe common disease entities, including their characteristic signs and symptoms, etiology, epidemiology and pathophysiology.
MK-4. Identify drivers of poor health, including economic, psychological, social and cultural factors that contribute to their development and/or continuation.
MK-5. Select, justify and interpret appropriate clinical tests and diagnostic procedures with attention to benefits, harms and cost.
MK-6. Develop and explain a prioritized differential diagnosis and an appropriate clinical management plan based on a sound knowledge of pathophysiology.
MK-7. Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical, moral and legal foundations of medical care.
MK-8. Utilize the basic concepts of evidence-based medicine to analyze biomedical literature.

Practice-Based Learning and Improvement (PBLI 1-5)

Trainees must demonstrate the ability to investigate and evaluate their care of patients, to appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and to improve patient care based on constant self-evaluation and life-long learning.

PBLI-1: Demonstrate the ability to identify strengths and weaknesses in knowledge and skills and routinely seek opportunities to address deficits.
PBLI-2: Use evidence-based clinical guidelines in patient care.
PBLI-3: Demonstrate the ability to give and receive constructive feedback.
PBLI-4: Evaluate emerging technologies, study design, methods and results as they apply to current best practice.
PBLI-5: Be able to identify elements of safety and quality improvement in patient care programs.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills (ICS 1-5)

Trainees must demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families, and other health professionals.

ICS-1. Demonstrate effective and appropriate verbal and nonverbal techniques to elicit a patient's history.
ICS-2. Integrate patient information and data into a logical and organized report that demonstrates clinical reasoning skills.
ICS-3. Use effective communication skills to educate patients and families, and to counsel them to modify health risk behaviors.
ICS-4. Communicate effectively with patients and families in a patient-centered manner.
ICS-5. Communicate effectively in difficult situations, for example giving bad news and communicating adverse events.

Professionalism (PR 1-9)

Trainees must demonstrate adherence to ethical principles, development of physician attributes and commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities.

PR-1. Uphold the primacy of patient welfare with particular attention to patients who are medically, psychologically or socially vulnerable.
PR-2. Apply principles of respect for persons, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice, and work to resolve ethical dilemmas as they arise in clinical practice.
PR-3. Demonstrate a commitment to social justice, including stewardship of health care resources, health of the community and care for the underserved.
PR-4. Show commitment to cultivation of empathy and compassion.
PR-5. Demonstrate attention to self-care and work-life balance.
PR-6. Recognize one's own abilities and limitations, participate in ongoing self-assessment, actively seek and respond to feedback and continuously strive to improve patient care.
PR-7. Demonstrate confidentiality, integrity, reliability, flexibility, timeliness and responsibility in interactions with patients and families.
PR-8. Maintain a professional image in behavior and dress, including responsible use of social media and web-based communications/presence.
PR-9. Collaborate with other health professionals to maintain a climate of mutual respect, shared values and a team approach to patient care.

Systems-Based Practice (SBP 1-6)

Trainees must demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care, as well as the ability to call effectively on other resources in the system to provide optimal health care.

SBP-1. Describe strengths and limitations of major organizational models of health care delivery and reimbursement systems.
SBP-2. Demonstrate the ability to access and utilize available community resources beneficial in caring for patients.
SBP-3. Identify the impact of public health policies and interventions on the health of individuals and communities.
SBP-4. Describe the benefits and potential harms of tests and procedures and treatments with an understanding of cost.
SBP-5. Identify systems errors and potential systems solutions that will contribute to improved care and patient safety.
SBP-6. Use the knowledge of one’s own role and those of other professions to appropriately assess, address, and communicate the healthcare needs of the patients and populations served.

Graduation Requirements for the MD Degree

The faculty of Drexel University College of Medicine will confer the MD degree on students who have met the objectives of the MD program as stated above. Students must successfully complete and pass all required coursework in all four years of study within no more than six academic years from the date of matriculation.

Students must meet the requirements set forth in the College of Medicine technical standards.

Students must take and earn a passing score on Steps 1 and 2CK of the USMLE.

The judgment of the faculty as to the fitness of a student for the MD degree is based not only on scholastic achievement, but also upon evidence of the student’s character and professionalism. Lapses of professional behavior, failure to meet other requirements or consistently marginal performance may result in an assessment by the Promotions Committee that the overall performance of the student is insufficient to be granted the MD degree.

In order to receive a diploma, students must have met all financial obligations to Drexel University College of Medicine, and completed an exit interview with the Office of University Student Financial Aid.