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Home > Education and Admissions > MED 2010 > Med 2010 Initiatives and Projects > Defining Competencies
Defining Competencies
As part of its ongoing MED 2010 initiative, the University of Minnesota Medical School is creating a competency-defined education for our undergraduate medical students. We have defined seven categories of knowledge, skills and attitudes, which align with the core ACGME competencies to ensure a smooth transition from medical school to residency.
Within each category are groups of competencies, sub-competencies and objectives, drilling down to increasing levels of detail. These components are analogous to the fundamental organizational units of a textbook.
Categories:
- The “sections” of a textbook: collections of related chapters.
- Seven broadly defined “buckets” of knowledge, skills and attitudes.
- Aligned with the six core ACGME competencies to ensure a smooth transition from medical school to residency.
Competencies:
- The primary “chapters” to which all sub-competencies in one category may be grouped.
Sub-Competencies:
- The chapter sub-sections in which a number of closely related learning objectives or outcomes are summarized.
- A broad statement of knowledge, skill or attitude; hard to measure on an individual student basis.
Objectives:
- Individual, measurable knowledge, skills and attitudes that every physician, regardless of specialty, needs to know.
- Translate a sub-competency into specific, definable educational experiences.
The categories and competencies have been defined. The current focus is on the sub-competencies for all basic science and clinical subject areas. These will be drafted, reviewed and approved by June 1, 2008. More than 200 faculty and community members have contributed to this process to date. Sub-competencies determined to be essential for all physicians will be used to shape student assessments in the core undergraduate medical school curriculum.
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Competencies
Primary Verbs:
Knowledge: Know, understand
Skills: Demonstrate, apply
Attitudes: Value, appreciate
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Basic Science Knowledge
A commitment to the continued understanding and application of knowledge of the structure and function of the body, human development, pathophysiology and psychosocial development in patient care practice, and mechanisms of disease causation.
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Know the normal structure and function of the body including the major organ systems
Know the molecular, biochemical, and cellular mechanisms important to homeostasis of the body and the major organ systems
Know the altered structure and function of the body including the major organ systems (pathology/pathophysiology)
Know the causes of common diseases and conditions (genetic, developmental, metabolic, environmental, microbiologic, autoimmune, neoplastic, degenerative, and traumatic) and the related pathogenesis
Know the clinical, laboratory and radiologic manifestations and therapeutic decision-making options
(pharmacologic, physical, psychological, and nutritional)
Know the behavioral, social and, cultural factors associated with the origin and progress of disease
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Clinical Skills and Knowledge for Patient-Care
A commitment to the continued development of both motor and cognitive skills applicable in all patient care practice.
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Demonstrate the ability to elicit, synthesize and interpret an appropriate and thorough history and a list of a patient’s concerns in a respectful, logical and organized manner
Demonstrate the ability to perform complete and appropriately focused physical exams in a respectful, logical and organized manner
Perform routine technical procedures used in both medicine and surgery
Solve clinical problems using deductive reasoning
Create appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic management strategies for patients with common issues arising for both acute and chronic care needs
Develop intervention plans based on an understanding of current scientific knowledge as applied to health problems
Determine physical diagnosis while recognizing specific clinical and ethical issues, and using cultural competence with diverse populations
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Systems of Health Care
A commitment to awareness and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care and the ability to effectively call on system resources to provide quality patient care practice.
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Know and recognize the variables to identify and analyze in order to effectively implement a course of action, taking into account the ethical complexity of medical decision making.
Understand how to work effectively in a variety of health care systems and provide quality patient care while advocating for the best interest of the patient
Understand the function of health policy, health care delivery and the options for health care reform
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Professionalism
A commitment to maintaining standards of competence, integrity and ethical behavior, and providing accountability in all aspects of the profession while placing the patient at the forefront.
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Value a commitment to ethical decision making in all aspects of professional practice pertaining to the provision or withholding of clinical care, confidentiality of patient information, informed consent and medical practice
Value a commitment to the principle of the primacy of patient welfare
Demonstrate respect, compassion, and integrity; a responsiveness to the needs of patients and society that supercedes self-interest; accountability to patients, society, and the profession; and a commitment to excellence and on-going professional development
Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to patients’ culture, age, gender, and disabilities
Value internal assessment and accept external scrutiny of professional performance
Value and uphold scientific standards for quality patient care
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Lifelong Learning/ Self Awareness
A commitment to continuous acquisition and development of skills in order to stay current in all aspects of the medical practice, recognizing limitations in knowledge and skills and working towards continuous to provide optimal patient care.
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Demonstrate the ability to recognize and improve upon limitations in one’s knowledge and clinical skills
Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning in the areas of science, health care and public health care advances
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Interpersonal and Communication Skills
A commitment to refine task specific communication skills as well as relational and process oriented skills in order to effectively team with patients, their families and other health professionals and for patient care practice.
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Demonstrate effective and appropriate verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills in a variety of professional settings
Demonstrate a commitment to working in collaborative groups in all aspects of health care
Demonstrate leadership skills that can be used in a variety of health care settings
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Scientific and Clinical Inquiry
A commitment to generating new ideas, testing hypotheses, translating research, sharing information, and working towards scientific and clinical advancement in the field of medicine to advance patient care practice.
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Know the foundational basis of scientific theory and methodology for medical discovery
Understand the critical-thinking skills needed for basic and clinical research and skill sets required to conceptualize and conduct research
Understand the ethical, legal, professional, and social issues required for responsible conduct of research
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