Domains of Competence
The University of Minnesota has organized its competencies into seven categories
of knowledge, skills, and attitudes, which align with the ACGME core competencies.
Each of these seven competency domains drills down to
increasing levels of detail as reflected in the competencies
and learning objectives:
Domains of Competence (Level 1)
Seven broadly defined domains of knowledge, skills and attitudes.
Competencies (Level 2)
Summary statements representing a number of closely related learning objectives originating from multiple curricular subject areas.
Learning Objectives (Level 3)
Measurable knowledge, skills and attitudes that every physician, regardless of specialty, needs to demonstrate.
The Seven Domains and Their Associated Competencies
Medical Knowledge: Demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge of human structure, function, development, pathophysiology and psychosocial development to patient care.
Competencies:
- Know the normal human structure and function
- Know the molecular, biochemical and cellular mechanisms important to homeostasis
- Know the abnormal structure and function of the body including mechanisms of diseases, conditions and related pathogenesis
- Demonstrate understanding of how the evolving concepts in the sciences bound to medicine inform the clinical practice of medicine
- Understand clinical manifestations and diagnostic tests
- Know the behavioral, psychological, social and, cultural factors associated with the origin and progress of disease
Clinical Skills and Patient Care: Demonstrate effective use of motor and cognitive skills in diagnosis, management and prevention of common health problems encountered in patient care.
Competencies:
- Demonstrate the ability to elicit, synthesize and interpret both a thorough and appropriately focused history and list of a patient’s concerns in a respectful, logical and organized manner
- Demonstrate the ability to perform complete and appropriately focused physical exams in a respectful, logical and organized manner
- Perform routine technical procedures used in both medicine and surgery
- Solve clinical problems using deductive reasoning
- Create appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic management strategies for patients with common issues arising for both acute and chronic care needs
- Develop intervention plans based on an understanding of current scientific knowledge as applied to health problems
- Determine physical diagnosis while recognizing specific clinical and ethical issues, and using cultural competence with diverse populations
- Effectively work in partnership with colleagues, patients, families and friends from a variety of cultural backgrounds in order to achieve the best possible health care outcomes
- Utilize technology to enhance the practice of medicine and the delivery of health care services
Scientific and Clinical Inquiry: Demonstrate understanding of scientific theory and methodology and the critical thinking skills needed to interpret and apply research to improving patient care.
Competencies:
- Demonstrate understanding of the ethical, legal, professional and social issues implicit in the responsible design and conduct of research
- Demonstrate the critical thinking skills needed for applying basic and clinical research to improving patient care
Professionalism: Demonstrate, through knowledge and behavior, a commitment to the highest standards of competence, ethics, integrity and accountability to the patient and the profession.
Competencies:
- Value a commitment to ethical decision making in all aspects of professional practice pertaining to the provision or withholding of clinical care, confidentiality of patient information, informed consent and medical practice
- Value a commitment to the principle of the primacy of patient welfare
- Demonstrate respect, compassion, and integrity; a responsiveness to the needs of patients and society that supercedes self-interest; accountability to patients, society, and the profession; and a commitment to excellence and on-going professional development
- Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to patients’ culture, age, gender, and disabilities
- Value internal assessment and accept external scrutiny of professional performance
- Value and uphold scientific standards for quality patient care
Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Demonstrate effective listening, verbal and written communication skills with a wide range of individuals and groups in order to provide patient-centered care.
Competencies:
- Demonstrate effective and appropriate listening, verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills with and about patients
- Demonstrate a commitment to working in collaborative groups in all aspects of health care
- Demonstrate leadership skills that can be used in a variety of health care settings
- Demonstrate the ability to adapt communications to a variety of professional settings and roles
Systems of Health Care: Recognize and work effectively within the larger context and system of health care to advocate for and provide quality patient care.
Competencies:
- Understand the physician's role as an advocate for the health care system and for improvement of the medical profession
- Understand how to work effectively in a variety of health care systems and provide quality patient care while advocating for the best interest of the patient
- Understand the function of health policy, health-care delivery and options for health-care reform
- Identify principles and variables to analyze, taking into account the complexity of medical and ethical decision making
Continuous Improvement of Care through Reflective Practice: Demonstrate habits of self-directed learning, including awareness of gaps in understanding, recognition of personal limitations, and acquisition of new knowledge and skills in order to stay current in all aspects of medical practice and provide optimal patient care.
Competencies:
- Demonstrate the ability to recognize and improve upon limitations in one’s knowledge and clinical skills
- Demonstrate lifelong learning in the areas of science, health care and public health care advances
