Technical Standards Policy

Policy Statement:

All students admitted to and enrolled in the Keck School of Medicine M.D. program must meet throughout their enrollment, the Technical Standards (Standards) set forth in this policy.

Audience

All current and prospective doctor of medicine students of the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

Preamble

The Keck School of Medicine of USC intends for its graduates to become competent and compassionate physicians who are capable of pursuing and completing residency, passing licensing exams and obtaining and maintaining medical licensure. A candidate for the M.D. degree, herein referred to as “candidate,” must successfully complete the entire course of study for the M.D. degree and fully participate in clinical medical training. An avowed intention to practice only a narrow part of clinical medicine, does not alter the requirement that all students demonstrate full competence in the entire curriculum.

The Keck School of Medicine of USC is responsible for the safety of patients with whom candidates will interact. Consideration of patient safety is an essential factor in establishing the skills necessary for admission, continued enrollment, promotion and graduation. Essential abilities and characteristics required for completion of the M.D. degree consist of certain minimum physical, cognitive, mental, and emotional abilities to ensure that candidates for admission, promotion, and graduation can participate fully in all aspects of medical training with or without reasonable accommodation. The ability to ultimately perform these essential skills is a prerequisite for admission, continued enrollment, promotion and graduation from the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Therefore, all students must attest to their ability to fulfill the requirements of the program with or without accommodations as part of the acceptance process and annually during their tenure at the Keck School of Medicine. Students returning from any leave of absence must also recertify that they meet the Technical Standards with or without accommodations. All candidates for the M.D. degree must meet all skills required and possess all abilities described in this document.

Technical Standards 

The following essential abilities and characteristics are defined as technical (or non-academic) standards, and are requirements for admission, retention, promotion, and graduation. They are described below in several broad categories including observation, communication, motor function, intellectual, conceptual, integral, integrative, quantitative abilities, and behavioral and social skills.

1. OBSERVATION: Candidates must be able to acquire information from demonstration and participation in experiments of science, including but not limited to such things as dissection of cadavers; examination of specimens in anatomy, pathology, and neuroanatomy laboratories; and microscopic study of microorganisms and tissues in normal and pathologic states. Candidates must be able to accurately acquire information from patients and assess findings. They must be able to independently perform a complete physical examination to integrate findings based on this information and to develop an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan.
2. COMMUNICATION: Candidates must communicate effectively, efficiently, and respectfully with patients, their families, health care personnel, colleagues, faculty, staff and all other individuals with whom they come in contact. They must be able to record information accurately and produce written documentation that is legible and comprehendible, they must perform oral presentations, and sufficiently comprehend written materials and oral instructions. They must be able to obtain a medical history in a timely fashion, interpret non-verbal aspects of communication, and establish therapeutic relationships with patients.
3. EXAMINATION, DIAGNOSTIC, AND PROCEDURAL SKILLS: Candidates must be capable of independently and safely performing a complete physical examination and all diagnostic and surgical procedures essential to the area of practice, including general medical roles. They must be capable of independently and safely performing required clinical procedures and tests. They must be able to respond to clinical situations in a timely manner and provide general and emergency care. Candidates must be physically present when required (including emergency care situations), which includes nights and weekends during clinical rotations. Candidates must meet all appropriate safety standards applicable in in-patient, out-patient, and clinical settings, as well as be able to adhere to universal precaution procedures. These activities require physical mobility, coordination of both gross and fine motor neuromuscular function and balance and equilibrium.
4. INTELLECTUAL, CONCEPTUAL, INTEGRAL, INTEGRATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ABILITIES: Candidates must have sufficient cognitive abilities and effective learning techniques to synthesize the detailed and complex information presented in the medical student curriculum. They must be able to learn through a variety of modalities including, but not limited to, classroom instruction; small group, team and collaborative activities; individual study; preparation and presentation of reports; simulations and use of computer technology. Candidates must be able to memorize, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, synthesize, and accurately transmit information. They must recognize and draw conclusions about three- dimensional spatial relationships and logical sequential relationships among events. They must be able to formulate and test hypotheses that enable effective and timely problem-solving in diagnosis and treatment of patients in a variety of clinical settings and health care systems. They must be able to make prudent, informed, and appropriate decisions in the best interest of patients.
5. BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL ATTRIBUTES: Candidates must possess the behavioral, emotional and social maturity, discipline, and professionalism necessary for the competent practice of medicine. They must have evidence of the following Core Competencies (as defined by the AAMC and adopted by the Keck School of Medicine of USC): Ethical Responsibility to Self and Others; Reliability and Dependability; Resilience and Adaptability; Capacity for Improvement; Service Orientation; Social Skills; Cultural Competence; Teamwork; and Oral Communication. Candidates must accept responsibility for learning and exercise good judgment in decision making and actions. These attributes must be demonstratable when the candidate is both physically taxed and working under stress. Candidates must demonstrate a respectful and professional manner in all interactions, including in their online and social media presence and in communicating with or about others, including individuals with whom they may have significant differences. A candidate must possess self-awareness of limitations, beliefs, and values, and must not disrupt or interfere with the learning of others. Candidates must be willing and able to interact with, and care for, all individuals of the community, regardless of gender, race, age, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, or any other protected status identified in the university’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Keck School of Medicine of USC has the responsibility to consider the safety and welfare of patients and others. Students must be able to comply with all requirements (including vaccination requirements) to participate in all educational, clinical, and research settings, including all applicable policies and protocols issued by the university, the School, and any healthcare facilities with which the candidate may interact as part of their program of study. They must also be able to understand and follow instructions given to them by supervising faculty, physicians, and administrators. Candidates should be capable of being vaccinated against known pathogens transmitted during physical contact with vulnerable individuals and populations.
6. ETHICAL AND LEGAL STANDARDS: Candidates are expected to understand the legal and ethical aspects of the practice of medicine and function within the law and ethical standards of the medical profession. They must meet the legal standards to be licensed to practice medicine in the State of California and adhere to the USC Student Handbook. They must conduct themselves at a level of ethical and moral behavior commensurate with the role of a physician in all interactions. Candidates for admission must acknowledge and provide written explanation of any felony offense or disciplinary action taken against them prior to matriculation in the Keck School of Medicine; in addition, should the candidate be convicted of any felony offense while in medical school, they agree to immediately notify the M.D. Program. Failure to disclose in a timely manner prior or new offenses will lead to disciplinary action by the Keck School of Medicine that may include dismissal.

Reasonable Accommodation

The Keck School of Medicine of USC is in full compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, including the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended), and California law (Civil Code 51 and 54). The Keck School of Medicine of USC abides by the University of Southern California’s Disability Accommodations policy and Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation policy. The Keck School of Medicine of USC does not discriminate against qualified applicants or enrolled students with disabilities.

The Keck School of Medicine of USC is committed to the full and equitable inclusion of qualified learners with disabilities. The technical standards are not intended to deter any candidate for whom reasonable accommodation will allow the fulfillment of the complete curriculum. Students who, after review of the technical standards, determine that they require reasonable accommodation to fully engage in the program should contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) to confidentially discuss their accommodation needs. Students may also work with Student Health Services, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life to clarify and explore their needs and possible accommodations. Given the clinical nature of the M.D. program, time may be needed to create and implement appropriate accommodations. Accommodation is never retroactive; therefore, timely requests are essential and encouraged.

If at any point during a student’s enrollment, the student’s ability to meet these Standards is compromised, it is the student’s responsibility to report this change to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs (or designee). If at any time the School has reason to question a student’s certification that they meet the Technical Standards, the Keck School of Medicine of USC can require that a candidate undergo an evaluation and review by the Technical Standards Committee to determine whether the student is able to meet these Standards.  This may, at the School’s discretion, include an evaluation by an external medical professional designated by the School.

Students who require accommodation at any time during their enrollment with the School of Medicine must seek approval from the appropriate school or university office (e.g. Office of Student Accessibility Services or Office of Religious and Spiritual Life). Students receiving accommodation approval must submit the accommodation letter to the medical school via email to medkeck@usc.edu. Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with USC and Keck School of Medicine policies and procedures.

Reviewed and Approved: August 7, 2024

Medical Education Executive Council