RESIDENT TECHNICAL STANDARDS

Introduction

All Residents must possess the physical and mental skills and abilities necessary to successfully complete the Residency Program Curriculum. To achieve the optimal educational experience, residents are required to participate in all phases of the training program. These standards are not meant to be all inclusive nor does it constitute all measures or standards. It does not preclude the residency from temporarily restructuring resident duties as it deems appropriate for residents with acute illness, injury, or other circumstances of a temporary nature.

Residency requires a specific set of minimum physical, mental, emotional and social abilities are needed to be successful. Residents must possess all of the abilities listed in the five categories below. The use of an intermediary that would, in effect, require as resident to rely on someone else’s power of observation and/or communication would not be permitted.

I. Observation

a. Visually observe materials presented in the learning environment including; audiovisual presentations, written documents, microscopic examination of microorganisms, tissues and gross organs in the normal and pathologic state and diagnostic images.

b. Observe patients accurately and completely, both at distance and directly.  This requires functional vision, hearing and sensation.

II. Communication

a. Effectively speak, write, hear, read and use a keyboard and/or essential electronic devices necessary for patient care.

b. Perceive non-verbal communications, including facial expressions, body language and affect.

c. Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and their families via speech as well as reading and writing.

d. Communicate in oral and written form with the healthcare team in an effective, accurate and efficient manner.

III. Motor

a. Elicit information from patients via palpation, auscultation and percussion, as well as carry out diagnostic maneuvers.

b. Execute movements reasonably required to provide general medical care and emergency treatment to patients. These skills require coordination of gross and fine motor movements, equilibrium and sensation. (Delivery of infants, intubations, pelvic exams, colposcopy etc)

c. Manipulate equipment and instruments to perform basic laboratory tests and procedures as required to attain curricular goals (needles, stethoscope, ophthalmoscope, scalpel etc)

IV. Intellectual/ Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities:

a. Perform calculations necessary to solve quantitative problems as required by the curriculum.

b. Collect, organize, prioritize, analyze and assimilate large amounts of technically detailed and complex information in a timely manner. This information will be presented in a variety of educational settings, including lectures, small group discussion, and individual clinical settings. The applicant should be able to analyze, integrate and apply this information appropriately for problem solving and decision-making.

c. Apply knowledge and reasoning to solve problems as outlined by the curriculum.

d. Comprehend the three dimensional spatial relationships of structures.

e. Remain awake and alert.

V. Behavioral, Emotional and Social Attributes

a. Possess the emotional health to fully apply his/her intellectual skill, exercise good judgment and to complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients.

b. Develop a mature, sensitive and effective relationship with colleagues.

c. Tolerate the physical, mental and emotional stress experienced during training and patient care.

d. Possess the qualities of adaptability, flexibility and the ability to function in the face of uncertainty.

e. Form a compassionate relationship with his/her patients while maintaining appropriate boundaries for a professional relationship

f. Behave in an ethical and moral manner consistent with professional values and standards.

g. Exhibit sufficient interpersonal skills, knowledge and attitudes to interact positively and sensitively with people from all parts of society, ethnic backgrounds and belief systems.

h. Cooperate with others and work corroboratively as a team member.

i. Being on time and complying with scheduled clinical experiences.

j. Being able to take constructive feedback regarding performance and making behavioral changes accordingly.

The faculty of the Southern Regional AHEC, an affiliate of Duke University, recognizes its responsibility to recommend applicants for residency training who have the knowledge, attitude and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care. Resident graduates will be prepared to enter practice as family physicians able to care for the broad spectrum of patients seen within this specialty.

The faculty is responsible for adhering to these standards during the selection of resident applicants for acceptance into the residency program.

If you have any questions about this document or whether you meet the standards described above. Please contact the Residency Coordinator or Residency Director.

Tawana Dawkins (910) 678-7259 email Tawana.Dawkins@sr-ahec.org

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