AZCPM Competencies

Graduating students of AZCPM will achieve the following competencies:

I. MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE

1. Apply current and emerging knowledge of human structure, function, development, pathology, pathophysiology, and psychosocial development to patient care. The knowledge obtained provides a foundation in clinical training, residency training, and practice in podiatric medicine.
2. Describe normal development, structure and function of the body with emphasis on the lower extremities.
3. Explain the genetic, molecular, biochemical and cellular mechanisms important to maintaining the body’s homeostasis.
4. Relate the altered development, structure and function of the body and its major organ systems to diseases and pathological conditions with emphasis on the lower extremity.
5. Apply knowledge from pre-clinical and clinical sciences, including knowledge of pharmacology, microbiology, and immunology in simulated and clinical settings to patient care.
6. Use current and emerging knowledge of health and disease to identify and solve problems in patient care.

II. PATIENT CARE

1. Provide effective and compassionate patient-centered care (with emphasis on the lower extremity) that promotes overall health to diverse populations; and exhibit cultural awareness to ensure that patients and their families are provided with the highest quality of care that demonstrates respect for diverse culture.
2. Apply medical knowledge to distinguish between wellness and disease.
3. Perform and interpret comprehensive and problem-focused histories and physical examinations.
4. Perform lower extremity exams required for the diagnosis and management of disorders and conditions.
5. Formulate a prioritized differential diagnosis based on chief complaint, history, physical examination, and clinical assessments.
6. Perform and/or interpret clinical, laboratory, imaging, gait and biomechanical analyses, and other diagnostic studies required for management and treatment.
7. Participate actively in the performance of treatment techniques using medical and surgical means.
8. Recommend referrals of patients ensuring continuity of care through transitions between providers or settings and determining patient progress.
9. Develop and implement patient-specific management plans and prevention strategies.
10. Recognize patients with life-threatening emergencies and institute initial therapy.
11. Demonstrate knowledge of public health, health promotion, disease prevention, and clinical epidemiology.
12. Formulate strategies of pain management that minimize the occurrence of substance abuse, including, but not limited to, the use of opioids
13. Demonstrate awareness of issues related to culture, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, and mental and physical disabilities.
14. Engage patients and their families in shared decision-making through counseling and education.
15. Use information technology to access online medical information, manage information and assimilate evidence from scientific studies to patient care.
16. Perform ongoing self-assessment to optimize patient outcomes.

III.  RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP

1. Apply scientific methods and utilize clinical and translational research to further the understanding of contemporary podiatric medicine and its application to patient care.
2. Identify responsible practices and ethical behaviors used in research.
3. Retrieve and interpret medical and scientific literature.
4. Apply knowledge of the principles of research methodology and its relevance for clinical decision making.
5. Investigate opportunities that enhance life-long learning and contribute to the body of knowledge in podiatric research and scholarship.

IV.  INTERPERSONAL AND INTERPROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

1. Demonstrate communication and interpersonal skills that result in relevant and professional information exchange and decision-making with patients, their families, and members of the health-care team.
2. Communicate effectively utilizing oral, digital, and written formats.
3. Communicate effectively (including non-verbal cues) with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals, especially when special barriers to communication exist.
4. Interact appropriately with peers, faculty, staff, and healthcare professionals in academic, research and healthcare settings.
5. Exhibit behavior that demonstrates the capacity to establish a doctor/patient relationship.

V.  PROFESSIONALISM​​​​​​​

1. Exhibit the highest standards of competence, ethics, integrity and accountability; and place the patient's interest above oneself.
2. Apply theories and principles that govern ethical decision-making to the practice of medicine and research.
3. Recognize potential conflicts of interest inherent in various financial and organizational arrangements for the practice of medicine, in medical education and research.
4. Practice the standards that ensure patient privacy and confidentiality.
5. Demonstrate dependability, commitment and reliability in interactions with patients and their families and other health professionals.
6. Recognize and address in a constructive manner, unprofessional behaviors in oneself and others with whom one interacts.
7. Demonstrate personal behaviors that promote patient safety and infection control and prevent medical errors.
8. Identify personal deficiencies in knowledge and skills and address them by implementing methods for improvement.
9. Employ strategies for seeking and incorporating feedback from patients, peers, and other health professionals to improve personal and patient outcomes.
10. Demonstrate knowledge of state and federal laws governing the practice of the profession.
11. Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of bioethics including customary and accepted standards of professional practice.
12. Demonstrate knowledge of health-care insurance products, third-party reimbursement, and jurisprudence.

VI.  INTERPROFESSIONAL COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE

1. Demonstrate the ability to work as an effective member of a healthcare team.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of and respect for other health care professionals and to work collaboratively with them in caring for patients.
3. Perform effectively in diverse health care delivery settings and diverse health care systems.
4. Describe the structure and function of health care delivery and payer systems used in the United States.
5. Identify resources for patients in situations in which social and economic barriers limit access to health care.

VII.  SOCIAL AWARENESS/PAIN AND ADDICTION

1. Demonstrate an understanding of common societal problems (e.g., issues of addiction or abuse) and their impact on patients and their families.