Doctor of Medicine, PR & USA

Medical Knowledge

• Medical students must demonstrate knowledge about established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological, and socio-behavioral sciences as well as the application of this knowledge to patient care.
• Explain the normal structure and function of the body and of each of its major organ systems, as well as the molecular, biochemical, and cellular mechanisms that are important in maintaining the body’s homeostasis.
• Explain the genetic, developmental, metabolic, toxic, microbiologic, autoimmune, neoplastic, degenerative, and traumatic causes of disease states and their pathogenesis.
• Identify epidemiological and other factors that place individuals at risk for disease or injury, select appropriate tests for detecting risks, and determine preventive strategies for responding appropriately.
• Interpret the results of commonly used diagnostic studies.
• Formulate appropriate management strategies in the care of patients with common conditions, both acute and chronic, including pain and rehabilitation.
• Describe the mechanisms by which therapeutic agents work and apply the principles of pharmacology in patient care.

Patient Care

Students must be able to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the promotion of health and for the treatment of health problems.

• Demonstrate caring and respectful behaviors when interacting with patients and their families.
• Obtain a complete and accurate medical history that covers all the essential aspects of history taking in a patient-centered interview. Identify health issues and correlate them with the patient’s age, gender, cultural, spiritual beliefs, psychological, and socio-economic status.
• Perform a comprehensive and/or problem-focused physical examination, including a mental status examination, and accurately interpret the findings.
• Formulate, using clinical reasoning, an initial diagnostic impression and differential diagnosis.
• Recommend appropriate diagnostic studies and therapeutic management plans based on patient information and preferences, current scientific evidence, and clinical judgment.
• Perform or assist during routine technical procedures, including but not limited to venous and arterial puncture, placement of an intravenous line, transurethral and nasogastric catheters, and suturing of simple wounds.
• Recognize patients with life-threatening conditions, with serious physical and/or mental acute/chronic conditions in need of critical care, and institute appropriate initial therapy.
• Counsel and educate patients, caregivers, and families about the patient’s condition and aspects of health promotion and prevention.
• Solve clinical problems in the context of culture, psychological, socio-economic status, and the spiritual-health beliefs and needs of the patient.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

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

• Develop a team relationship with patients and their families to provide patient-centered care.
• Use a patient-centered approach with effective listening and communication skills during the medical interview.
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills with patients, their families, and health professionals.
• Document patient information in a comprehensive, timely, and legible electronic or written medical record.
• Demonstrate leadership skills as a member of a healthcare team and other professional groups.
• Demonstrate effective interaction with colleagues and healthcare professionals to provide patient-centered care.

Practice-based Learning and Improvement

Students must be able to investigate and evaluate their care of patients, appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and continuously improve patient care based on constant self-evaluation and life-long learning.

• Demonstrate the capacity to accept personal limitations and continuously improve one’s medical knowledge and clinical skills.
• Identify the information resources and tools available to support life-long learning and self-improvement.
• Review and incorporate the most current and relevant evidence-based information in the diagnosis and management of patients.
• Explain how to conduct clinical and translational research, its scientific and ethical principles, and apply the results and evidence derived from those studies to patient care.

Systems-based Practice

Students must demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care and the ability to effectively call on system resources to provide care that is of optimal value.

• Work effectively in various healthcare delivery systems.
• Deliver patient care according to the regulations and resources of healthcare systems.
• Advocate for quality patient care and assist patients in dealing with system complexities.
• Promote cost-effective healthcare and optimal resource allocation.
• Formulate appropriate management strategies for patients with clinical conditions that require short and long-term rehabilitation.
• Identify and assess factors that place patient safety at risk and select appropriate interventions to minimize them.
• Collaborate with colleagues, healthcare providers, and other professionals to assess and coordinate patient care.

Professionalism

Students must demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities, adherence to ethical principles, and sensitivity to a diverse patient population.

• Recognize ethical and legal dilemmas in medicine and demonstrate commitment to ethical principles.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to the diversity of the patient population, including but not limited to differences in culture, social status, gender, sexual orientation, and health beliefs.
• Demonstrate understanding of and respect for the roles of other healthcare professionals.
• Demonstrate honesty, integrity, and respectful behavior in all interactions with patients and families, peers, preceptors, members of the healthcare team, and others.
• Demonstrate compassionate treatment of patients, respect, and sensitivity for their privacy and dignity.
• Recognize the threats posed by conflicts of interest and advocate for patients’ interests over one’s own.
• Demonstrate respect for the patient’s autonomy in decision-making.