MD Program Competencies and Enabling Competencies

Enabling Competencies:

• PC1. Obtain an accurate, age-appropriate medical history.
• PC2. Demonstrate proper technique in performing both a complete and a symptom-focused examination, addressing issues of patient modesty and comfort.
• PC3. Perform routine technical procedures and tests under supervision and with minimal discomfort to the patient.
• PC4. Justify each diagnostic test proposed and ordered with regard to cost, effectiveness, risks and complications, and the patient’s overall goals and values.
• PC5. Apply clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills in developing a differential diagnosis.
• PC6. Apply the principles of pharmacology, therapeutics, and therapeutic decision-making to develop a management plan.
• PC7. Identify and incorporate into the care of patient’s appropriate prevention strategies for common conditions.
• PC8. Identify when patients have life-threatening conditions and institute appropriate initial therapy.
• PC9. Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to a diverse patient population, including but not limited to diversity in gender, age, culture, race, religion, disabilities, and sexual orientation.

Enabling Competencies:

• MK1. Describe the normal structure and function of the human body and of each of its major organ systems across the life span.
• MK2. Explain various causes (genetic, developmental, metabolic, toxic, microbiologic, autoimmune, neoplastic, degenerative, behavioral, and traumatic) of major diseases and conditions and the ways in which they operate on the body (pathogenesis).
• MK3. Describe how the altered structure and function (pathology and pathophysiology) of the body and its major organ systems are manifest through major diseases and conditions.
• MK4. Identify the proximate and ultimate factors that contribute to the development of disease and illness, and that contribute to health status within and across populations regionally, nationally, and globally.
• MK5. Demonstrate knowledge of the common medical conditions within each clinical discipline, including its pathophysiology and fundamentals of treatment.
• MK6. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of human behavior throughout the life cycle, including human sexuality and development during infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and end of life.
• MK7. Recognize the medical consequences of common societal problems.

Enabling Competencies:

• IC1. Communicate effectively in oral format with patients and patients’ families.
• IC2. Communicate effectively in oral format with colleagues, and other health care professionals.
• IC3. Communicate effectively in written format with colleagues and other health care professionals.
• IC4. Sensitively address end-of-life issues with patients and their families, including do-not-resuscitate orders and pain management.

Enabling Competencies:

• PR1.  Identify and consistently demonstrate ethical principles and behaviors in the care of patients.
• PR2. Demonstrate professional behavior consistent with expectations for the medical profession including punctuality and attire.
• PR3. Demonstrate respect for and adapt to different patient and medical cultures and expectations.
• PR4. Identify the causes, prevalence, symptoms, and negative impact on patient care of physician burnout and begin to formulate a thoughtful individual personal plan for dealing with stress and work life balance.

Enabling Competencies:

• LL1. Demonstrate skills in retrieving, critically assessing, and integrating social and biomedical information into clinical decision-making.
• LL2. Reflect upon clinical, service and educational experiences, evaluate positive and negative aspects, and make changes to improve future experiences.
• LL3.Demonstrate personal accountability by actively seeking feedback, admitting errors openly, and honestly modifying behavior.

Enabling Competencies:

• SHS1. Describe various approaches to the organization, financing, and delivery of health care in the United States and other countries and the role of physicians in developing and implementing health policy.
• SHS2. Identify disparities across populations in North Carolina and nationally and discuss physician roles in reducing these disparities.
• SHS3. Identify common ways that physicians can advocate for patients and communities.
• SHS4. Identify factors that place populations at risk for disease or injury and select appropriate strategies for risk reduction.
• SHS5. Participate in identifying system errors and implementing potential systems solutions.
• SHS6. Apply principles of translational research, patient safety, or quality improvement to enhance patient care.
• SHS7. Demonstrate collaborative teamwork skills and the ability to work effectively with other members of the health care team.
• SHS8. Identify and develop the leadership skills required in an era of teamwork.
• SHS9. Identify necessary elements for coordinated care of patients with complex and chronic diseases.
• SHS10. Demonstrate an ability to integrate group level clinical data (registries) into the care of patient and populations.