Technical Standards

The UK College of Medicine’s goal is the broad preparation of students to practice medicine. Regardless of eventual specialty selection, students must demonstrate competence in those intellectual, physical, and social tasks that together represent the fundamentals of medical practice.

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education, which accredits the medical school, requires the delineation of technical standards, which are the necessary physical and mental abilities of all candidates and graduates. The following abilities, in conjunction with academic standards, are requirements for admission, promotion, and graduation.

Observation

Students must be able to actively participate in all demonstrations and laboratory exercises in the foundational and clinical sciences. Students must be able to assess patients, obtaining a medical history and performing a complete physical examination, which require the functional use of visual, auditory, and somatic sensation.  They must be able to integrate their findings to develop an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan.

Communication

Students must be able to communicate clearly, efficiently and effectively with patients, their families, and members of the healthcare team.  They must be able to obtain a medical history in a timely fashion, interpreting changes in affect and non-verbal aspects of communication. Students must be able to record information accurately and clearly, and communicate effectively in English with other health care professionals in a variety of patient settings. 

Sensory and Motor Coordination or Function

Students must possess the capacity to perform a physical examination, diagnostic maneuvers, diagnostic procedures, and basic laboratory testing. They must be able to respond to emergency situations in a timely manner and provide both general and emergency care.  They must have the capacity to follow universal precaution measures and safety standards applicable to clinical activities.

Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities

Students must have sufficient cognitive abilities and effective learning techniques to assimilate detailed and complex information. They must be able to learn through a variety of modalities including, but not limited to, classroom instruction, small group, team and collaborative activities, and individual study.  Students must be able to memorize, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, synthesize and transmit information across multiple modalities.  They must recognize and draw conclusions about three-dimensional spatial relationships and logical sequential relationships among events. They must be able to formulate and test hypotheses that enable effective and timely problem-solving in diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Behavioral Attributes

Students must demonstrate the maturity and emotional stability required for full use of their intellectual abilities. They must accept responsibility for learning, exercising good judgment, and promptly completing all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients. Candidates must be able to work effectively, respectfully, and professionally as part of the healthcare team, and to interact with patients, their families, and health care personnel in a courteous, professional, and respectful manner. They must be able to tolerate demanding workloads and long work hours, to function effectively under stress, and to display flexibility and adaptability to changing environments. They must be capable of regular, reliable, and punctual attendance at classes and in regard to their clinical responsibilities. Students must be able to contribute to collaborative, constructive learning environments; accept constructive feedback from others; and take personal responsibility for making appropriate positive changes.