Technical Standards
The Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine’s Technical Standards represent the minimum physical, cognitive, and behavioral requirements for the satisfactory completion of all aspects of the curriculum and the development of professional attributes required by the faculty of all students at graduation. This can be achieved with or without reasonable accommodations. Our technical standards reflect the requirements set forth by the Liaison Committee for Medical Education (LCME) accreditation. A candidate for the M.D. degree should have abilities and skills, with reasonable accommodation from the Center for Educational Accessibility & Disability Resources (CEADR) at the University of South Alabama, in the following five areas:
- Observation – The ability to observe demonstrations and experiments, including microscopic study
of micro-organisms and tissues in normal and pathologic states. The ability to observe
a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand. The functional use of the senses
of vision and smell and somatic sensation;
- Communication – The ability to speak, hear, and observe patients in order to elicit information,
describe changes in mood, activity, and posture, and to perceive non-verbal communications.
The ability to communicate effectively with patients, family members, and the healthcare
team. Communication includes speech, reading, and writing;
- Motor - Sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation,
percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers. Adequate motor skills to perform basic
laboratory tests and to carry out diagnostic procedures. The ability to execute motor
movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients,
such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administration of intravenous medication, application
of pressure to stop bleeding, opening of obstructed airways, suturing of simple wounds,
and performance of simple obstetrical maneuvers;
- Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities - These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis.
Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of physicians, requires all of these
intellectual abilities. In addition, the candidate should be able to comprehend three-dimensional
relationships and to understand the spatial relationship of structures;
- Behavioral and Social Attributes - A candidate should possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgement, prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and the development of sensitive and effective relationships with patients. The ability to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. The ability to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in patient care scenarios.