Residents must be able to provide patient centered care that is compassionate, appropriate and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health.

Competency: Demonstrate caring, respectful and effective communication skills when interacting with patients and families.

Knowledge/Skills/Attitudes Objectives:

• Interact with all patients regardless of socio-economic or insurance status in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Demonstrate the ability to translate complex medical jargon to a level that the patient and caretaker can understand.
• Demonstrate respectful recognition of patient capabilities, limitations and preferences.

Competency: Gather essential and accurate information about the patient.

Knowledge/Skills/Attitudes Objectives:

• Obtain an accurate comprehensive history from the patient.
• Access adjuvant sources of information from family, caretakers, witnesses and previous medical encounters.
• Convey value of the caretaker's opinions regarding the patient's health and illness.
• Perform a detailed and accurate physical examination.

Competency: Formulate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions based on patient information and preferences, current scientific evidence and clinical judgment.

Knowledge/Skills/Attitudes Objectives:

• Formulate and prioritize a differential diagnosis.
• Recognize patients' comprehension and anxiety about their illness as well as their discomfort and financial stress related to testing.
• Obtain and interpret appropriate laboratory and radiological studies after the patient provides informed consent.
• Utilize data obtained to formulate diagnoses and synthesize an evidence-based management plan that is optimized by actively engaging the patient.
• Recognize personal limitations and seek help aptly.
• Utilize subspecialty consultation appropriately.
• Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for decisions.

Competency: Develop and implement patient management plans that actively engage the patient.

Knowledge/Skills/Attitudes Objectives:

• Educate patients and families regarding diagnoses, available therapies and the entailed risks and benefits.
• Create a management plan that encompasses patient and caretaker capabilities and preferences.
• Ensure patient and caregiver comprehension of the management plan.
• Provide written discharge instructions that the patient / caretaker can clearly comprehend.

Competency: Counsel and educate patients and families.

Knowledge/Skills/Attitudes Objectives:

• Empower patients and families to make educated decisions by providing accurate, up to date Information.
• Utilize nutritional, rehabilitative and other ancillary personnel to extend patient education.
• Provide both good and bad news in a professional and empathetic manner.
• Recognize patient and family emotional response and connect them to the appropriate psychosocial resources.

Competency: Use information technology to optimize patient care.

Knowledge/Skills/Attitudes Objectives:

• Access and update Electronic Medical Records as a data gathering resource.
• Use information technology tools (e.g. PDA, interactive web sites, computer based order entry) to optimize patient care and minimize iatrogenic complications.
• Review clinical standards of care and evidence based medicine routinely to enhance patient care.

Competency: Perform competently appropriate medical and invasive procedures.

Knowledge/Skills/Attitudes Objectives:

• Know the indications, potential complications and alternatives for a given procedure.
• Explain the procedure and the entailed risks and benefits to the patient and caretaker in a language that is appropriate to their educational, developmental, and emotional status.
• Ensure adequate supervision while performing the procedure and maximizing patient comfort
• Demonstrate and document proficiency in the required procedures.

Competency: Promote health maintenance and disease prevention.

Knowledge/Skills/Attitudes Benchmarks:

• Provide anticipatory guidance and promote standard health maintenance based on age, gender, and risk factors.
• Inform the patient about the indications, potential complications and possible outcomes including incidental findings of recommended screening tests.
• Promote routine vaccination based on standard recommendations.
• Access and maintain health maintenance records as a routine aspect of patient care.

Competency: Work with other health professionals to provide patient focused care.

Knowledge/Skills/Attitudes Objectives:

• Participate in inter-disciplinary teams to optimize patient care and education.
• Recognize the value and promote comprehensive in-patient sign-outs.
• Encourage communication intra-professionally with involved sub-specialists.
• Educate and connect patient to appropriate community resources.
• Transfer information to other providers when appropriate.