School of Medicine institutional learning objectives

Patient care: The ability to provide patient-centered care that is compassionate, appropriate and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health 

Students who graduate from VCU’s School of Medicine will: 

• Obtain and document an organized history and perform a physical examination that is appropriate for the patient’s condition.
• Apply clinical reasoning to develop a differential diagnosis and create an appropriate management plan, including performance of routine procedures after informed consent
• Select, interpret and understand the indications and limitations of commonly used diagnostic tests, interventions and procedures
• Apply principles of health equity and the impact of social determinants of health in informing clinical decisions
• Provide appropriate referral of patients including ensuring continuity of care throughout transitions between providers or settings and following up on patient progress and outcomes​

Knowledge for practice: The ability to discuss the biomedical, epidemiological and social-behavioral aspects of clinical science and apply this knowledge to patient care

Students who graduate from VCU’s School of Medicine will: 

• Integrate the structure and function of organ systems in health and disease, including the mechanism of therapeutic agents
• Differentiate the mechanisms by which organ systems are affected by disease and correlate with the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, radiographic and pathologic manifestations of disease
• Apply established and emerging principles of evidence-based medicine in the maintenance of health and the diagnosis and treatment of disease
• Appraise the effect of psychosocial, behavioral and social factors on health and how health care disparities and inequities impact communities and populations
• Explain the underlying ethical principles of research design and the application of the scientific method in basic, clinical and translational research

Practice-based learning and improvement: Demonstrate the ability to investigate and evaluate one’s care of patients, to appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and to continuously improve patient care based on constant self-evaluation and lifelong learning

Students who graduate from VCU’s School of Medicine will: 

• Engage in critical reflection and self-assessment of personal strengths and opportunities for improvement and utilize this information to address gaps in knowledge and improve patient care  
• Contribute to the professional growth of self and team members by soliciting and incorporating feedback and providing formative feedback to others
• Apply current scientific evidence to optimize clinical care and improve outcomes
• Utilize available technology to gather data, support care decisions, optimize learning and improve clinical practice 
• Effectively respond to patient needs while balancing personal health and well-being

Interpersonal and communication skills: Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families and health professionals 

Students who graduate from VCU’s School of Medicine will: 

• Engage in collaborative relationships and work effectively as a member of the health care team across educational, cultural and clinical environments
• Employ effective communication skills that promote shared decision-making with patients and cultivate an inclusive environment that encourages mutual respect for all individuals
• Communicate compassionately and clearly with patients and their family members to provide education and guidance while respecting individual autonomy
• Practice effective, efficient and timely communications with members of the health care team to maximize patient safety 

Professionalism: Demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and an adherence to ethical principles while developing one’s professional identity 

Students who graduate from VCU’s School of Medicine will: 

• Act responsibly with honesty, integrity, trustworthiness, sensitivity, confidentiality and compassion to create an environment that encourages respect and cultural humility for all
• Reflect upon and adjust one’s own conscious and unconscious biases when interacting with diverse populations
• Participate as an active member of the learning community and facilitate lifelong learning of peers and other health care professionals
• Adhere to the ethical principles pertaining to provision, withholding or withdrawal of care; confidentiality; informed consent; and avoidance of conflicts of interest 
• Demonstrate a commitment to forming one’s own professional identity while executing and adhering to ethical and professional responsibilities of a physician

Systems-based practice: Demonstrate the ability to navigate the health care setting and system, identifying and utilizing available resources to provide optimal care for their patients

Students who graduate from VCU’s School of Medicine will: 

• Describe the organization, financing and delivery of health care in context of the larger health care system
• Engage in interprofessional collaboration and recognize the role of all members of the health care team to optimize patient care 
• Advocate for access to high-value care for patients and appropriate utilization of resources to ensure individuals receive the right care at the right time
• Identify possible individual and system errors and propose solutions to support patient safety and improve quality of care