UMES PA Program Competencies
Upon completion of the UMES PA program, graduates will demonstrate competence in the following domains:
- Medical Knowledge
- Recognize normal and abnormal health states across all organ systems.
- Discern among acute, chronic, and emerging disease states across the lifespan.
- Apply principles of basic and clinical science to identify, diagnose, and provide patient care to healthy and ill patients.
- Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving
- Formulate a most likely diagnosis and differential diagnoses based on an appropriate history, and physical examination for a variety of acute, chronic, and emergent medical conditions for patients across the lifespan.
- Recommend appropriate diagnostic laboratory and imaging studies relevant to the history and physical and provide or obtain interpretations.
- Develop appropriate treatment plans based on the clinical assessment and findings that include pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.
- Clinical and Technical Skills
- Demonstrate ability to obtain a medical history, perform a physical examination, and document patient information.
- Perform diagnostic and routine therapeutic procedures.
- Implement appropriate strategies for disease prevention and health care maintenance.
- Demonstrate ability to provide appropriate patient education by utilizing evidence-based medicine to guide clinical decision-making.
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Demonstrate the ability to provide effective verbal and nonverbal communication with patients, families, and members of the health care team.
- Review medical records, complete documentation, and communicate diagnostic findings and management strategies in a timely manner.
- Demonstrate strong reading, writing, and presentation skills.
- Professional Behaviors
- Uphold academic integrity and professionalism.
- Demonstrate cultural competencies affecting the health of the individual and the community being served.
- Apply the core principles of medical ethics to provide medical care that is respectful, ethical, considerate, empathetic, and equitable.
- Establish respectful and collaborative relationships with all members of academic and healthcare teams.
- Demonstrate understanding of professional responsibilities around certification, licensure, credentialing, reimbursement, advocacy, and legal policies and regulations regarding medical practice.
