MD Admission Requirements - Technical Standards

A student should have sufficient motor function to execute movements required to provide general care and treatment to patients in all health care settings. Students must be able to independently elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion and other diagnostic maneuvers. A student must be able to safely execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients.

A student must be able to acquire the information presented through demonstrations and experiences in the basic and clinical sciences. He or she must be able to observe a patient accurately, at a distance and close at hand, and observe and appreciate non-verbal communications when performing clinical assessment and intervention or administering medications. The student must be capable of perceiving the signs of disease and infection as manifested through physical examination. Such information is derived from images of the body's surfaces, palpable changes in various organs and tissues, as well as information communicated by patients and body functions. The student must be able to adhere to the standards of patient assessment and standards of care, including the use of technological equipment.

A student must communicate effectively, sensitively and rapidly with other students, faculty, staff, patients, family and other health care professionals. S/he must demonstrate a willingness and ability to give and receive feedback. A student must be able to: convey or exchange information at a level allowing development of a health history; identify problems presented; explain alternative solutions; and give directions during treatment and post-treatment. The student must be able to process and communicate information on the patient’s status with accuracy in a timely manner to members of the health care team. A student must be able to elicit information from patients, describe changes in mood, activity and posture and perceive nonverbal communications.

A student must be able to problem solve rapidly. This critical skill demanded of physicians requires the ability to learn and reason, as well as to integrate, analyze and synthesize data concurrently in a multi-task setting. In addition, the student must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures. A student must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate and synthesize in the context of the study of medicine. The student must be able to comprehend extensive written material. S/he must also be able to evaluate and apply information and engage in critical thinking in the classroom and clinical setting. The student must be able to consider alternatives and make decisions for managing or intervening in the care of a patient.

A student must possess the ability to exercise good judgment and to complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients and families. In addition, s/he must maintain mature, sensitive and effective and harmonious relationships with patients, students, faculty, staff and other professionals under highly stressful situations. The student must have the ability to function effectively under stress and to adapt to an environment that may change rapidly without warning and/or in unpredictable ways. The student must be able to exhibit empathy, integrity and concern for others.

The student must abide by professional standards of practice. The student must be able to engage in patient care delivery in diverse settings and be able to deliver care to all patient populations.

If you have a disability that might limit your ability to meet these essential qualifications, please contact the Disability Resource Center to explore whether reasonable disability accommodations may be available to you:

Disability Resources Center
1224 E. Lowell St.
Tucson, AZ 85721
Phone: (520) 621-3268
Email: @email