EDUCATION MISSION STATEMENT AND GOALS
The University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine is dedicated to preparing physicians who will serve the public by aspiring to excellence in patient care, research, education and community service.

The UC Denver School of Medicine provides graduates with the foundation for a lifetime of continual learning. Our curriculum integrates clinical, basic science and humanities education throughout all four years of medical school. Our graduates practice scientific and humanistic medicine and possess the skills to provide excellent, empathetic and compassionate patient care. Our graduates are professionally competent, as perceived by University faculty, patients, and as measured by formal external evaluation systems.

Our graduates collaborate with other health care professionals to promote, maintain and improve the health of individuals, communities and patient populations, recognizing and respecting the multicultural values of those they serve.

The UC Denver School of Medicine is committed to continually reviewing and improving the curriculum as the science and practice of medicine evolves. The following five goals (Competencies) represent the foundation of the undergraduate medical education program at the University of Colorado Denver.

EDUCATION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE Graduates demonstrate their knowledge of core concepts and principles of the biomedical and social /behavioral sciences. These include not only disease pathogenesis and treatment, but also health maintenance, disease prevention, and an understanding of the broad range of factors that impact the origin and progression of disease. Graduates contribute to the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge.

Medical Knowledge Objectives

1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the scientific principles that underlie the current understanding of normal human development, behavior, function, aging, and disease. They will apply these principles in the discussion of health maintenance and common disease processes and in the evaluation and management of patients.
2. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the manner in which people of diverse cultures and belief systems perceive health and illness and respond to various symptoms, diseases, and treatments. This includes considering the individual patient’s education, financial resources, and alternative or complementary medical practices as well as the effect of social needs and socioeconomic factors on patient care.
3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of common problems and differences across age, gender, and other groups.
4. Students will demonstrate an understanding of basic strategies for promoting health and preventing disease and apply this understanding to patient care.
5. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the scientific basis and appropriate interpretation of common diagnostic methods, such as diagnostic imaging and clinical pathology.
6. Students will demonstrate an understanding of their role in addressing the medical consequences of common societal problems, such as the prevention, diagnosis, appropriate reporting, and treatment of violence and abuse.
7. Students will demonstrate through laboratory or other practical opportunities the application of scientific method, observation, and critical analysis of data.
8. Students will demonstrate an understanding of medical-legal responsibilities and how they relate to the duty and ability to act within the legal parameters, including abiding by those duties to protect and respect patient confidentiality, as well as the exceptions to those duties.

1. Students will accurately perform and document complete and focused histories and physical examinations that are based on the pathophysiology of presenting complaints and that address relevant psychosocial and family issues.
2. Students will identify and prioritize patients’ problems, formulate appropriate differential diagnoses, and develop appropriate plans for treatment and/or management in both the outpatient and inpatient settings.
3. Students will encounter patients with selected conditions and the students will accurately record the encounters.
4. Students will perform selected diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
5. Students will perform complete and focused case presentations that are accurate and well-organized; prepare and maintain complete, accurate, well-organized medical records.
6. Students will inform patients and their families about health and illness in a way that is clear and appropriate to their needs, including counseling on prevention and psychosocial issues.
7. Students will demonstrate an understanding of and respect for cultural differences in communication with and management of patients. Students will demonstrate an understanding of prevention, acute, chronic, continuing, rehabilitative, and end-of-life care and apply these to patient care.

1. Students will 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.
2. Students will skillfully discuss sensitive issues with patients and their families in an effective, compassionate, non-judgmental manner.
3. Students will demonstrate a commitment and skill in teaching to and learning from students, colleagues, and other members of the health professions and patients.
4. Students will demonstrate compassionate treatment of patients and respect for their privacy and dignity.

1. Students will act in an ethically responsible manner, displaying integrity, honesty, and appropriate boundaries with patients, patients’ representatives, and fellow health care professionals.
2. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the theories and principles that govern ethical decision making and how these apply to major ethical dilemmas in medicine.
3. Students will demonstrate a balance of their own needs and values with their professional responsibilities towards patients.
4. Students will recognize the limit of their own knowledge, skills, and behavior through self-reflection and seek to overcome those limits.
5. Students will recognize and appropriately address gender and cultural biases in themselves and others.

1. Students will recognize the need to engage in self-directed and lifelong learning to stay abreast of scientific advances.
2. Students will demonstrate the ability to locate, critically analyze, and apply biomedical information for solving problems and making decisions that are relevant to the care of individuals and populations.
3. Students will use evidence-based approaches to decide whether to accept new findings, therapies, and technologies for incorporation into medical practice.

Approved by the Curriculum Oversight Committee, 18 June 2007