Technical Standards for the Admission, Retention, and Graduation of Medical Students

Introduction

Completion of the requirements of the MD degree demonstrates the attainment of a broad-based knowledge of medicine and the related skills necessary to provide effective patient care.  The Lewis Katz School of Medicine (Katz) MD program objectives outline the competencies needed to practice medicine in the variety of general and specialty fields of practice.  Essential knowledge, abilities, skills and characteristics, known as “Technical Standards”, are the minimal standards required for the completion of the MD degree.  These standards are based on the MD program objectives and must be met by candidates for admission and enrolled students in order to progress and graduate.  

The clinical experience is demanding and requires the physical and emotional stamina to function effectively in situations that may involve presence during day, evening and night hours on weekdays and weekends, long periods of continuous physical activity, stressful situations, and that may require rapid movement between hospital units or buildings.  Additionally, the Katz clinical learning experiences take place across a range of hospital-based and ambulatory settings and will require the ability to travel to various clinical affiliate sites throughout the region.

The intention of a candidate to practice only a narrow scope of clinical medicine or to pursue a non-clinical career does not alter the requirement that all students demonstrate competence through achievement of the MD program objectives and completion of all program requirements.  The technical standards are not intended to deter any student who is able to participate fully in all aspects of the MD program with reasonable accommodations. 

Katz is committed to excellence in accessibility and as such, we encourage students with disabilities to disclose and seek accommodations.  Our collaborative accommodation process is informed by the knowledge that students with varied types of disability have the ability to become successful physicians.

Prior to matriculation, accepted students are required to attest, in writing, that they meet the Technical Standards with or without accommodations.  Enrolled students must attest, in writing, that they meet the standards with or without accommodations prior to entry into phase 2 and before entry into phase 3 of the curriculum.  Additionally, students must attest, in writing, that they meet the Technical Standards with or without accommodations upon return from Independent Study or Leave of Absence to full enrollment status at Katz. 

Admitted and enrolled students who, after review of the Technical Standards, determine that they require accommodation to meet the standards must contact The Office of Disability Resources and Services ("DRS") for an evaluation of what accommodations might be necessary for the student to succeed.  Recommendations made by the Office of Disability Resources and Services will be reviewed by the Katz Technical Standards Committee, DRS representatives, and appropriate personnel to determine if the recommendations are reasonable.  Please note that prior accommodations granted in another program may not be considered reasonable in the context of the MD program at Katz.

The Technical Standards Committee may include the following members:  the Senior Associate Dean for Education, the Senior Associate Dean for the Regional Campus, the Associate Dean of Admissions, the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Medical Education, the Associate Deans of Student Support for the North Philadelphia and the St. Luke’s Regional Campus, and other participants as appropriate.

Accommodation of Disability

Lewis Katz School of Medicine does not discriminate against qualified applicants or students with disabilities.  Katz is committed to diversity and to attracting and educating students who will make the population of health care professionals representative of the national population.  We actively collaborate with students to develop innovative ways to ensure accessibility and create a respectful accountable culture through our confidential and specialized disability support. Katz students must be able to meet the Technical Standards below with or without reasonable accommodations.

Disability identification is voluntary and confidential. However, time may be needed to establish and implement required accommodations. Therefore, candidates who believe that they may need accommodations should contact the Office of Disability Resources and Services (DRS) immediately upon acceptance to Katz or as soon as they develop a disability or condition that they believe may require accommodation. Accommodations are never applied retroactively to negate failure to meet applicable performance standards; therefore, timely requests are essential. DRS may be reached by phone at (215) 204-1280 or via email at [click-for-email].

Standards

The Technical Standards, based on the skills necessary to meet the requirements of the MD program, are outlined in broad categories below that include: 1) Observation, 2) Communication, 3) Motor Function 4) Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities, and 5) Behavioral and Social Skills, Ethics and Professionalism.  Candidates must have the ability to independently demonstrate this range of abilities and skills, with or without reasonable accommodation.  Examples include, but are not limited to the following:

Observation

• Obtain, assimilate and apply information in the basic medical sciences in classrooms, demonstrations, and experiential activities, and participate in activities such as dissecting cadavers, examining specimens, microscopic studying of microorganisms and tissues in normal and pathologic states
• Accurately observe a patient and the surrounding environment, both at a distance and close at hand, noting nonverbal and verbal communication
• Analyze a medical history that was obtained independently
• Integrate findings from an independently performed complete physical examination with observations to develop appropriate assessments and diagnostic and treatment plans
• Acquire information from non-patient sources including but not limited to the following: written and electronic documents, images, simulators, computer programs and videos
• Comprehend three-dimensional relationships and the spatial relationships of structures
• Absorb and process information received by the various sensory functions i.e.. functional vision, hearing, somatic sensation, and is enhanced by a sense of smell

Communication

• Communicate efficiently, sensitively and effectively, in English, in oral and written form, with patients, their families, members of the healthcare team and other individuals in a variety of settings
• Perceive and interpret non-verbal communications
• Obtain a medical history in a timely fashion
• Obtain, record and report information from patients, families and others, in English, clearly and accurately
• Establish therapeutic relationships
• Convey information in urgent situations that will ensure safe and effective care of patients

Motor Function

• Perform a complete physical examination, including auscultation, percussion, palpation and other diagnostic maneuvers
• Manipulate equipment and instruments to perform basic laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures as required, including but not limited to medical equipment such as needles, stethoscope, tongue blade, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, intravenous equipment, urinary catheter, scalpel, bedside ultrasound
• Execute movements necessary for cadaver dissection and to provide direct general and emergency treatment in a variety of situations including but are not limited to, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the administration of intravenous medication, the application of pressure to stop bleeding, the opening of obstructed airways, the suturing of simple wounds and the performance of simple obstetrical maneuvers
• Execute motor movements that require the coordination of gross and fine movements, equilibrium, depth perception, vision, and sensation
• Demonstrate skills necessary to use a computer
• Adhere to universal precaution measures and applicable safety standards
• Maintain adequate physical and mental stamina to complete the course of didactic and clinical study, which may include prolonged periods of sitting or standing, the need to move rapidly from one location to another, and the need to remain awake and alert for extended periods of time
• Participate consistently in learning experiences and as a member of healthcare teams to achieve a coherent and coordinated curricular experience

Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities

• Possess the cognitive abilities and effective learning techniques to obtain, learn, analyze, integrate, synthesize and apply the large volume of detailed and complex information presented in the curriculum
• Learn through self-directed and independent study as well as through the variety of teaching modalities used in the curriculum
• Solve problems and think critically, both independently and as part of a team
• Perform calculations necessary to solve quantitative problems
• Complete assessments in a timely manner
• Recognize, comprehend and draw conclusions about three-dimensional spatial relationships of structures and logical sequential relationships among events
• Integrate historical, physical, social and diagnostic test results and research data to develop differential diagnoses and determine the appropriate sequence of events to provide effective treatment for patients
• Develop and demonstrate clinical reasoning and judgement skills through the application of knowledge, critical thinking and hypothesis formulation and testing to solve problems in a time period appropriate for the situation

Behavioral and Social Skills, Ethics and Professionalism

• Demonstrate empathy, concern for others and the ability to put the welfare of others before one’s own
• Demonstrate integrity and honesty
• Respond in a timely manner, fulfill attendance requirements, complete required assignments, and meet deadlines
• Demonstrate freedom from impairment due to alcohol or other drugs
• Display emotional health and resilience and the ability to work cooperatively with others in spite of stressful work, fatigue or clinical uncertainty
• Tolerate physically and mentally taxing workloads, function effectively under stress, adapt to changing environments and situations, display flexibility and learn to function in the face of clinical uncertainty
• Identify personal reactions and modulate responses despite fatigue or stressful conditions
• Engage in self-reflection and accept feedback, suggestions and criticism in a constructive manner
• Demonstrate self-awareness by asking for help when needed
• Learn, understand and apply the ethical values of the practice of medicine
• Maintain effective, mature, sensitive and ethically appropriate relationships with patients, families, staff, and other professionals
• Readily and willingly interact in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory, professional and respectful manner with all members of the healthcare team, faculty, staff, patients and families
• Communicate and care for, including performing complete physical examinations, persons who differ from oneself or one’s beliefs in a variety of ways, including but not limited to biologic sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, race, ethnicity, culture, religious or spiritual beliefs, socioeconomic or military status