Technical Standards for Matriculation, Promotion and Graduation

All graduates of CMU College of Medicine must have the knowledge, skills and other competencies necessary to function in various clinical situations and across the spectrum of patient care. Technical Standards are based on that premise and attempt to ensure capable, well-rounded future clinicians. Technical Standards are the non-academic admission and promotion criteria essential for full participation in the medical education program. The College of Medicine maintains a strong institutional commitment to equal educational opportunities for qualified students with disabilities who apply for admission to the Doctor of Medicine program or are already enrolled.

The Technical Standards are not intended to deter any candidate for whom reasonable accommodation will allow the fulfillment of the complete curriculum. Admitted candidates with disabilities’ requests for reasonable accommodations are confidentially reviewed by the CMU Office of Student Disabilities Services to determine appropriate accommodations or alternative mechanisms that will permit the candidate to satisfy the standards. Students with a variety of disabilities can become successful health professionals.

Any applicants or current students with a disability who may require accommodation in the program are encouraged to contact the CMU Office of Student Disabilities Services at SDS@cmich.eduor 989-774-3018 for a confidential consultation.

The abilities and characteristics outlined in this policy are defined as Technical Standards, which, in conjunction with academic standards established by the faculty, are requirements for admission, promotion and graduation. These standards are posted on the College of Medicine website and in the student handbook.

At the time of offer of admission, a medical school applicant attests that they are familiar with and capable of meeting the Technical Standards with or without accommodation. Additionally, enrolled medical students attest annually that they are familiar with and capable of meeting the Technical Standards with or without accommodation.

Students at the College of Medicine must have capacity/ability in five broad areas:

  • Observation
  • Communication
  • Motor skills
  • Intellectual-Conceptual
  • Professionalism-Behavioral and Social Attributes

Definitions

Observation

Students should be able to participate in laboratory exercises and demonstrations in foundational sciences, assess and understand patients' condition to the extent necessary to perform a physical examination, integrate findings based on these observations, and develop an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan.

Communication

Students should be able to communicate with patients in order to elicit information, detect changes in mood, activity, posture, and other non-verbal communications, establish a therapeutic relationship and provide clinical care. Students should be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and all members of the healthcare team.

Motor skills

Students should be able to perform physical examinations and diagnostic procedures using techniques such as palpation, auscultation, and percussion, perform basic laboratory tests, and execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients.

Intellectual-conceptual

Students should possess integrative and quantitative abilities, including the ability to measure, calculate, reason, and synthesize information, recognize and draw conclusions about three-dimensional spatial relationships and logical, sequential relationships among events, formulate and test hypotheses that enable effective and timely problem-solving in the diagnosis and treatment of patients in a variety of clinical modalities.

Professionalism-behavior and social attributes

Students should demonstrate compassion, integrity, and concern for others. They should possess the perseverance, diligence, and consistency to complete the curriculum requirements, exercise good judgment and emotional stability, complete all responsibilities associated with the diagnosis and care of patients within established timelines, and develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients and others. Students should be able to tolerate variable workloads, function effectively under stress, adapt to changing environments, and function effectively in the face of uncertainties inherent in clinical medicine.

 The Technical Standards Policy can be found at https://med.cmich.edu/policy/technicalstandards.