The overarching knowledge, skill and behavior competencies you are expected to achieve during the three years of the FDC are the following:

Knowledge

• Know and use the language of physical examination techniques, findings and structures.
• Know and use the language of medical interviewing and communications techniques, focusing on the techniques of open-ended inquiry and an empathic, humanistic approach.
• State the goals of the doctor-patient encounter: establishing rapport, data acquisition, educating and enlisting the patient.
• Identify the key components of the patient data base gathered in the encounter: patient identification, chief complaint, history of present illness, past medical history, medications, allergies, habits and hazards, social history, family history, review of systems, and physical exam findings.

Skills

• Obtain an accurate medical history that covers all essential aspects of the history, including issues related to age, gender, and socioeconomic status.
• Practice and build on basic open-ended inquiry: Invite, Listen and Summarize (ILS).
• Practice communicating empathy to your patients, identifying their ideas, values and feelings.
• Practice alternating between a patient-centered (ILS) and doctor-centered interview process when appropriate.
• Practice skills for enlisting patients in behavior modification.
• Communicate with patients that present more challenging interview issues.
• Reason deductively in solving clinical problems.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with patients, patients’ families, colleagues, and others with whom physicians must exchange information in carrying out their responsibilities.
• Perform basic physical examination techniques on adults and children in the following areas (we expect that much of this will be learned and practiced on the clerkships):
  • Vital Signs
  • Extremities and Back
  • Chest and Lungs
  • Head and Neck
  • Neurologic
  • Mental Status
  • Cardiovascular
  • Eyes/Ears
  • Abdomen
• Recognize some abnormal physical exam findings
• Relate the physical examination to anatomy and pathophysiology.

Behaviors

• Practice compassionate treatment of patients, and respect for their privacy and dignity.
• Uphold and promote the ideals of medical professionalism in all interactions with patients, colleagues, staff and faculty.
• Understand and respect the roles of other health care professionals and the need to collaborate with others in caring for individual patients and in promoting the health of defined populations.
• Recognize and accept limitations in one’s knowledge and clinical skills, and a commitment to continuously improve one’s knowledge and ability.
• Recognize the importance of cultural, ethnic, racial and religious diversity and its impact on society, health care delivery, and the workplace.