Educational Goals and Objectives for
The University of Texas Medical School at Houston

Goals

(a) Students should acquire a KNOW-LEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING of health and its promotion; of disease and its prevention and management; and, of psychosocial factors that influence a patient’s well-being, in order to provide competent and humane medical care to individuals, families, and the larger society. Furthermore, students should be able to use their knowledge and understanding appropriately in the care of patients. Students should have an opportunity to participate in scholarly activities including research.

(b) Students should acquire and become proficient in basic clinical SKILLS, such as the ability to obtain a patient’s history, to perform a comprehensive physical and mental status examination, to interpret the findings, and to demonstrate competence in the performance of basic technical procedures. Students should appreciate the appropriate use of technologies in assisting in diagnosis and management.

(c) Students should acquire and demonstrate ATTITUDES that foster patient-centered care and support the highest standards of the medical profession.

Educational Objectives

1. Knowledge Objectives
At the conclusion of Medical School, students will have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of:
(a) the sciences basic to the practice of medicine;

(b) the most common diseases in terms of processes and presentation;

(c) the environmental, social and cultural determinants of disease;

(d) the principles of disease prevention and health promotion;

(e) the principles of therapy including the management of acute illness, the care of the chronically ill, the amelioration of suffering, the relief of pain, and the care of the dying;

(f) the basic principles of epidemiology and population health, and how to apply these principles to the individual patient;

(g) the basic principles of genetics and how they apply to common chronic diseases;

(h) outcomes that are important to the patient;

(i) ethical, legal and spiritual issues relevant to the practice of medicine; and,

(j) the organization, financing, and delivery of health care both in the hospital and in the community.

2. Skills Objectives
Students must have acquired and demonstrated proficiency in their ability to:

(a) communicate both with patients and their relatives, and with other professionals involved in the patient’s care;

(b) obtain and record a comprehensive history;

(c) correctly perform a complete physical examination, and mental status examination;

(d) accurately interpret the findings obtained from the history, the physical
examination, and other diagnostic procedures;

(e) construct a provisional assessment of the patient’s problems and formulate
with the patient a plan for investigation and management;

(f) perform basic clinical procedures;

(g) find and critically evaluate the best information for diagnosis and treatment; and,

(h) demonstrate the ability to work effectively as a member of a medical
team.

3. Attitudinal Objectives
Students will have acquired and will behave in a manner that reflects attitudes of patient-centered care that are consistent with the highest standards of the medical profession, including:

(a) respect for patients and colleagues that encompasses diversity of background, belief systems, language and culture;

(b) recognition of patients’ rights, including confidentiality and informed
consent;
(c) approaches to learning that are
based on curiosity and the exploration
of knowledge that will continue throughout life;

(d) recognition of the moral and ethical responsibilities involved in patient care; and,

(e) recognition of the need to ensure that the highest possible quality of patient care must always be provided; and,

(f) recognition of the skills of various team members.

4. Core Competencies
The Medical School has developed a list of core competencies which all students should demonstrate prior to graduating with the M.D. degree. The competencies are grouped under the following:

(a) patient care;

(b) basic clinical procedures;

(c) medical knowledge;

(d) interpretation of medical data;

(e) interpersonal and communication skills; and

(f) professionalism.

Pre-Entry Program

The Pre-Entry Program is an intensive five-week program offered to a subset of students prior to the fall matriculation of the first year and includes a one-week course in the fundamental concepts of biomedical sciences followed by courses in anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology/neuroscience taught by faculty members in the Medical School. The noncredit program is designed to assist students prepare for the academic rigors of the medical school curriculum. Invitations to the program are sent to students who might benefit. Students may also request consideration for participation in this program.
A Peer Tutoring Service is available to all students at no charge.

For information about the Medical School’s academic program, call 713-500-5140,
e-mail: Patricia.Butler@uth.tmc.edu, or write:

Patricia M. Butler, M.D.
Associate Dean for Educational Programs
The University of Texas Medical School at Houston
6431 Fannin, JJL 304
Houston, Texas 77030

Visit our Web site:
http://med.uth.tmc.edu/administration/edu_programs/index.htm

For information about scheduling electives, contact:
The Office of Student Affairs
713-500-5160 or
e-mail: elective@dean.med.uth.tmc.edu