Technical Standards & Essential Requirements
Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine is committed to the admission and advancement of all qualified students. College policy prohibits discrimination against anyone solely based on race, sexual orientation, gender, Veteran’s status, color, national origin, religion, age, handicap or disability.
The Faculty and Administration, have adopted the following technical standards and essential requirements that must be met by all students for advancement and graduation. These technical standards expected of students seeking the degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine reflect the college’s highest commitment to the safety of its students and patients and recognition of the essential functions of the profession of Podiatric Medicine.
The following standards and requirements describe the academic abilities and non-academic qualifications that are essential to the program of instruction, are directly related to the licensing requirements, and are directly related to those physical abilities, mental abilities, skills, attitudes and behaviors that students must demonstrate or perform at each stage of their education to ultimately ensure patient safety.
Visual Observation and Integration
Candidates and students must be able to observe demonstrations, video materials, slides through a microscope and computer screens. They must acquire information from written documents, radiographs, photographs, charts and diagrams. They must be able to observe a patient accurately close at hand and at a distance to assess asymmetry, range of motion and tissue/texture changes.
Communication
Candidates and students must be able to communicate effectively in oral and written formats, and in settings where time span is limited. This includes communication in classroom, clinical and laboratory settings. Candidates and students must be able to accurately elicit information in a timely and efficient manner. Candidates must be able to describe a patient’s condition to the patient and to others in the diagnosis and treatment process.
Other Sensory Capacities
Students must independently be able to take an oral history, do stethoscopy and communicate while wearing a surgical mask. Students must also have sufficient somatosensory capacity to palpate pulses, use a tuning fork and assess skin temperature.
Motor Functions
Candidates and students must have sufficient motor function to undertake classes, laboratories and demonstrations and to provide general patient care as well as emergency treatment to patients. This includes cadaver dissection, microscopy, aseptic technique and safe handling of microbiological specimens. Also included is the motor capacity for chart and prescription writing, palpation, percussion, auscultation and other diagnostic maneuvers. All of these tasks must be done in a timely and efficient manner within prescribed time limitations relative to the context of a practicing physician. Examples of common daily treatments include, but are not limited to, palliative care of foot and ankle problems, injections, orthotic impressions, taking and processing of pedal radiographs, and performance of soft tissue and osseous tissue surgical procedures. Examples of emergency treatments include CPR, administration of intravenous medications, the opening of obstructed airways, and hemostasis techniques.
Intellectual, Conceptual, Quantitative and Integrative Abilities
Candidates must have sufficient cognitive abilities and effective learning techniques to assimilate the detailed and complex information presented in the medical student curriculum. Candidates must engage in critical thinking and problem solving. They must be able to learn through a variety of modalities including, but not limited to, classroom and lab instruction and exams; small group, team and collaborative activities; individual study; preparation and presentation of reports; and use of computer technology. Candidates must be able to consistently, quickly and accurately measure, calculate, interpret, reason, memorize, analyze, synthesize and transmit information across modalities. Candidates must be able to demonstrate these skills and procedures under pressure and in a timely fashion across a range of conditions and time frames. They must recognize and draw conclusions about three-dimensional spatial relationships and logical sequential relationships among events. These skills and abilities are fully defined by the faculty and explained in the course syllabi.
Behavioral and Social Attributes
Candidates must demonstrate the maturity and emotional stability required for full use of their intellectual abilities. They must accept responsibility for learning, exercising good judgment and promptly completing all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients. They must understand the legal and ethical aspects of the practice of medicine and function within both the law and ethical standards of the medical profession. Candidates must be able to work effectively, respectfully and professionally as part of the healthcare team, and to interact with patients, their families and health care personnel in a courteous, professional and respectful manner. They must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and long work hours, to function effectively under stress and to display flexibility and adaptability to changing environments.
Candidates must be able to work effectively, respectfully and professionally with faculty, staff and student colleagues. They must be capable of regular, reliable and punctual attendance at classes and in regard to their clinical responsibilities. Candidates must be able to contribute to collaborative, constructive learning environments; accept constructive feedback from others; and take personal responsibility for making appropriate positive changes.
Involvement in Invasive and Exposure-prone Procedures
Candidates and students must be qualified to be personally and actively involved in invasive and exposure-prone procedures without being a danger to patients, other health care professionals or fellow students, faculty and staff. They must demonstrate adherence to the universal precautions as defined by the Center for Disease Control. As part of the technical standards and essential requirements to matriculate at the college, the following statement shall apply: If you are HIV seropositive, you may be restricted by the State Medical Board of Ohio from performing procedures required for graduation. If you are HBV and/or HCV positive and do not demonstrate noninfectivity, you may be restricted by the State Medical Board of Ohio from performing procedures required for graduation. Any questions regarding these requirements should be directed to the Senior Associate Dean.
Essential Requirements and Technical Standards issued July 23, 2014