Educational Competencies

The primary goal of the Renaissance School of Medicine is to educate caring and skilled physicians who are well-prepared to enter graduate and specialty training programs.  Graduates understand, value and apply the scientific method in the solution of clinical problems.  They integrate clinical, biomedical and behavioral knowledge to promote the health and well-being of patients and communities.  They value lifelong learning and locate, evaluate critically and integrate new scientific and clinical findings that advance the practice of medicine.  They provide highly competent and compassionate, patient-centered care while demonstrating the highest level of professionalism and sensitivity to the diverse personal and cultural contexts in which medical care is delivered.  These goals are also embraced by our graduate and specialty training programs that are designed to educate medical specialists and researchers in the biomedical and clinical sciences to be well-prepared to advance the frontiers of research, clinical practice and education. 

PATIENT CARE

Graduates will apply established and evolving information and technology to provide patient care that is safe, compassionate, appropriate and effective for the treatment of health problems and for the promotion of health.
Graduates are expected to:

1. Gather relevant and accurate patient information by performing a history and physical exam, and utilizing laboratory and imaging data.

2. Perform procedures* and interpret diagnostic tests* with an understanding of their indications and limitations.

3. Develop reasoned differential diagnoses of patients' clinical problems that are informed by the medical literature.

4. Apply clinical problem solving skills to develop integrated therapeutic plans for the acute and longitudinal management of health problems

5. Provide safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, patient-centered and evidence-based health care.

6. Integrate principles of disease prevention, health promotion and education into the health care of individuals and communities.

MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE

Graduates will acquire knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical and social sciences and their applications to patient care.
Graduates are expected to:

1. Demonstrate current knowledge of the biomedical sciences pertinent to human health and disease across the lifespan.

2. Acquire, manage, integrate and apply current and evolving knowledge to the care of patients and populations.

3. Demonstrate understanding of genetic, environmental, psychological, socioeconomic, cultural and spiritual factors that influence human health and disease.

PRACTICE-BASED LEARNING AND IMPROVEMENT

Graduates will evaluate their own patient care practices, appraise and assimilate new technology and scientific evidence to improve patient care throughout their medical careers.
Graduates are expected to:

1. Use reflective skills and audit methodology to evaluate personal practice experiences to inform systematic, practice-based quality improvement.

2. Recognize personal limitations, as individuals and as team members, actively seek help and advice as appropriate and modify future behavior in response to feedback.

3. Demonstrate adaptive expertise through the ability to critically appraise and incorporate new scientific developments for clinical problem-solving and patient care.

INTERPERSONAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Graduates will demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange and team work with patients, patients' families and professional associates.
Graduates are expected to:

1. Demonstrate effective audience- and context- appropriate writing skills in reflective essays, researched reports, medical records and professional communications including email and digital/electronic records.

2. Use effective, audience- and context-appropriate verbal and interactive skills in communications with peers, medical professionals, and patients.

PROFESSIONALISM

Graduates will demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities, adherence to ethical principles and sensitivity to diverse patient populations.
Graduates are expected to:

1. Exhibit professionalism through compassion, altruism, integrity, respect, responsibility and sensitivity in meeting obligations to patients, community and team members inherent in the practice of medicine.

2. Use sound moral reasoning and judgment to evaluate, render and defend decisions regarding patient care and health care policies.

3. Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to patients' personal characteristics such as race, color, sex, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic or marital status.

SYSTEMS-BASED PRACTICE

Graduates will demonstrate an awareness of the larger context and system of health care. They will effectively utilize system resources to provide optimal care as collaborative members of inter professional teams..
Graduates are expected to:

1. Coordinate care and utilize cost effective resources to promote health, prevent disease and provide optimal and safe patient care.

2. Work collaboratively as members of inter professional teams to assess, coordinate, and improve patient care.

3. Participate in evaluation of personal medical errors, system errors and implementation of potential solutions.

    

*appendix with detailed listing available