The goal of Drexel University College of Medicine is to prepare our medical graduates to be competent, caring physicians who have the skills of lifelong learning necessary to incorporate new knowledge and methods into their practice as either a generalist or specialist and to adapt to a changing professional environment. The faculty has determined that certain technical standards are prerequisite for admission, progression and graduation from Drexel University College of Medicine. The standards were developed from concepts outlined in the Report of the Association of American Medical College's Advisory Panel on Technical Standards in January 1979. Included in the deliberations of the Panel on Technical Standards were the following considerations: The medical education process, which focuses so largely on patients, differs markedly from postsecondary education in fields outside of the health sciences.
Applicants for admission to and students enrolled in Drexel University College of Medicine must possess the capability to complete the entire medical curriculum, achieve the degree Doctor of Medicine, and practice medicine with or without reasonable accommodations.
It should be noted, however, that the use of a trained intermediary is not acceptable in situations where the candidate's judgment is impacted by the intermediary's powers of selection and observation. Technological accommodations can be made for some handicaps in certain areas of the curriculum, but a candidate must meet the essential technical standards so that he or she will be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner. The need for personal aids, assistance, caregivers, readers and interpreters, therefore, may not be acceptable in certain phases of the curriculum, particularly during the clerkship years.
A candidate for the M.D. degree must have abilities and skills in five varieties, including observation; communication; motor; conceptual, integrative and quantitative; and behavioral and social.
I. Observation
Through independent observation, the student must be able to acquire information in the basic medical sciences, including that obtained from demonstrations and experiential activities. The student must also be able to observe and accurately acquire information directly from the patient (both from a distance and from close at hand) as well as from other sources including written documents, pictorial images, simulators, computer programs and videos. This level of observation and information acquisition requires the functional use of vision, hearing and somatic sensation.
II. Communication
A candidate should be able to speak, to hear and to observe patients in order to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and perceive nonverbal communications. A candidate must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients. Communication includes not only speech but reading and writing. The candidate must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written form with all members of the health care team.
III. Motor
It is required that a candidate possess the motor skills necessary to directly perform palpation, percussion, auscultation and other diagnostic maneuvers, basic laboratory tests, and diagnostic procedures. The candidate must be able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general and emergency medical care such as airway management, placement of intravenous catheters, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, application of pressure to control bleeding, suturing of wounds and the performance of simple obstetrical maneuvers. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.
IV. Intellectual-Conceptual (Integrative and Quantitative) Abilities
The candidate must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate and synthesize. In addition, the candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of physicians, requires all of these intellectual abilities. The candidate must be able to perform these problem-solving skills in a timely fashion.
V. Behavioral and Social Attributes
A candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients. Candidates must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation are all personal qualities that are assessed during the admissions and education processes.
Students will be judged not only on their scholastic accomplishments but also on their physical and emotional capacities to meet the full requirements of the school's curriculum and to graduate as skilled and effective practitioners of medicine. Students must be able to accomplish each of the College of Medicine Graduation Competencies before graduation.
All applicants accepted to the College of Medicine and current students must be able to meet the school's technical standards. Students are asked to review the standards and to certify that they have read, understand and are able to meet the standards.
In accordance with law and Drexel University College of Medicine policy, no qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of that disability, be excluded from participation in College of Medicine programs or activities. The College of Medicine will provide reasonable accommodation to a qualified individual with a disability.
Admitted students who have a disability and need accommodation must initiate discussions with the Office of Disability Resources as soon as the offer of admission is received and accepted.
The Office of Disability Resources can be contacted at the following address:
Office of Disability Resources
Drexel University
3201 Arch St., Suite 210
Philadelphia, Pa 19104
215-895-1401
TTY: 215-895-2299
http://www.drexel.edu/oed/disabilityResources/
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