Educational Objectives of the School of Medicine

Summative Competencies for Graduates of the University of Kansas School of Medicine

The educational program of the School of Medicine (KUSoM) has a clear purpose i.e. to prepare a graduate who is both ready to begin the residency phase of his/her education and has a solid foundation in the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors necessary for a successful life-long career in medicine. Over the past decade, the faculty has developed, refined, and used specific objectives that collectively achieve these two linked goals. This revision continues our process of continually updating and improving our educational objectives in order to better prepare our graduates for rapidly-changing scientific and medical environments. Most notably, this revision redefines KUSoM predoctoral objectives in the ACGME format in order to enhance continuity of medical education between the predoctoral and residency stages and to facilitate alignment of KUSoM clerkships with national recommendations in each of the core clinical specialties.

The faculty first adapted each ACGME objective to the predoctoral stage of education. For each objective, specific measurable competencies were then established that verify attainment of the objective. In other words, an objective is what we want the students to achieve and the competency is how we prove they can do it before advancing to the next stage of medical education. 

Two important points must be made about the attached document. First, it describes the student at the end of Phase I and the graduate in broad terms, integrating factors from multiple courses. As the “final common pathway”, this summative document is part of a complex, interlinked educational process. Very detailed descriptions of the specific knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors required of our learners may be found in the objectives and competencies of the individual courses. The course documents also specify the evaluation tools used and levels of attainment required in assessing both students and courses. Information about student performance on individual courses is summarized in the final evaluation (“Dean’s letter”). This letter plus performance on national examinations and the cumulative clinical skills assessment form the basis of the overall evaluation of each student. 

Second, the competencies articulate foundational or core requirements. We expect and encourage learners and educators to build on these and to continually seek to improve. In turn, we accept the responsibility to continually examine our educational programs in order to set the high yet achievable standards expected of a modern medical school.

This document was developed by the faculty of the School of Medicine with input from students, residents, alumni and others. It articulates our concept of a modern KUSoM graduate who is well prepared for life-long learning and professional service in any area of medicine.

Educational Objectives for Phase I and prior to graduation (PDF)

Appendix A (PDF)

Appendix B (PDF)

Appendix C (PDF)

Appendix D (PDF)