Mission
Primary Goal
The School of Medicine's principal responsibility is to offer an excellent, comprehensive program of medical education, biomedical research and health care. The ultimate goal of this program is improvement of the physical and mental well-being of citizens of the state, nation and, indeed, the world.
Related Goals
The School of Medicine's related goals are:
- to expand the body of basic and applied knowledge in biomedical sciences
- to improve systems of health care delivery
- to demonstrate model medical care for hospitalized and ambulatory patients
- to provide excellent programs of continuing education for the state's practicing physicians.
Educational Objectives
The educational program of the School of Medicine is designed to achieve
the multiple goals of dissemination of knowledge through teaching, application
of knowledge through clinical practice, and creation of new knowledge
through scientific research. The specific educational program objectives
set forth below reflect the essential requirements for physicians to
act in an ethical and altruistic fashion while providing competent medical
care and fulfilling their obligations to their patients.
Objective I - Graduates must have sufficient knowledge of the structure and function of the human body to recognize alterations from the normal. They must understand the various causes of such abnormalities and their pathogenesis. At the completion of the medical school curriculum, students must be able to demonstrate:
A. Knowledge of the normal structure and function of the human body and
each of its major organ systems.
B. Knowledge of the molecular, biochemical and cellular mechanisms which help maintain the body's homeostasis.
C. Knowledge of the various causes (genetic, developmental, metabolic, toxic, microbiologic, autoimmune, neoplastic, degenerative, and traumatic) of diseases and the ways in which they impact on the body (pathogenesis).
D. Knowledge of the altered structure
and function (pathology and pathophysiology) of the body and its major
organ systems that are seen in various diseases and conditions.
E. An understanding of the power of the scientific method in establishing the causation of disease and efficacy of traditional and nontraditional therapies.
F. Commitment to engage in lifelong learning to stay abreast of relevant scientific advances, especially those in the disciplines of genetics and molecular biology.
Objective II - Graduates must possess the necessary diagnostic and interventional skills to accurately evaluate, diagnose and plan treatment appropriate for each patient. At the completion of the medical school curriculum, students must be able to demonstrate:
A. Competence in obtaining an accurate medical history that covers
all essential aspects of the patient's history, including issues related
to age, gender, ethnic and socioeconomic status.
B. Competence in performing both a complete and an organ system specific examination, including one for mental status.
C. Competence in performing routine technical procedures including, at a minimum, venipuncture, inserting an intravenous catheter, arterial puncture, inserting a nasogastric tube, inserting a foley catheter and suturing simple lacerations.
D. Competence in interpreting results of commonly used diagnostic tests and procedures, i.e., laboratory, roentgenographic, electrocardiographic.
E. Knowledge of the most frequent manifestations of common disorders.
F. Ability to reason deductively in solving clinical problems.
G. Ability to construct appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic plans/strategies for patients with common conditions, both acute and chronic, including medical, surgical and psychiatric conditions, and those requiring short- and long-term rehabilitation.
H. Ability to recognize patients with immediately life-threatening conditions; i.e., infectious, cardiac, pulmonary, allergic, neurologic or psychiatric diseases regardless of etiology, and to institute appropriate initial therapy.
I. Ability to recognize and outline initial
management for patients with conditions requiring critical care.
J. Knowledge about how to relieve pain and ameliorate suffering of patients.
K. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with patients, patients' families, colleagues, and health care team members with whom physicians must exchange information in carrying out their responsibilities.
Objective III - Graduates must possess those characteristics, attitudes and values that are needed to provide ethical and beneficial medical care for all patients. At the completion of the medical school curriculum, students must be able to demonstrate:
A. Knowledge of theories and principles that govern ethical decision making, and of the major ethical questions in medicine, particularly those at the beginning and end of life and those that surface from the rapid expansion of technology.
B. Compassionate and nonjudgmental treatment of all patients, and respect
for the privacy and dignity of all patients.
C. Honesty and integrity in all interactions with patients, families, colleagues and others with whom physicians must interact in their professional lives.
D. An understanding of, and respect for, the roles of other health care professionals, and of the need to collaborate and work with others in caring for individual patients and in promoting the health of defined populations.
E. A commitment to advocate the interests of one's patients over one's own interests at all times.
F. Capacity to recognize and accept limitations
in one's knowledge and clinical skills, and a commitment to continuously
improve one's knowledge and abilities.