Academic Competency

Competency Based Objectives :

AUSM faculty are charged with meeting the following Competency Based Objectives through our courses and clerkships.

Medical Knowledge :

Goal Statement: Medical students are expected to master a foundation of clinical knowledge with integration of basic sciences and the translation of that knowledge to the clinical setting. Graduates from American University of Sint Maarten School of Medicine will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of normal and abnormal structure and function of the human body on the macroscopic, microscopic, and molecular levels.
• Identify the pathology and pathophysiology of various diseases and correlate them with clinical signs and symptoms.
• Demonstrate knowledge of common or significant, acute and chronic clinical problems.
• Differentiate between normal and abnormal development and age-related changes across the life span.
• Demonstrate knowledge and ability to interpret epidemiological and public health contributions to understanding health and disease.

Practice-based Learning :

Goal Statement: Medical students are expected to investigate and evaluate their patient care practices, appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and improve their practice of medicine. Graduates from American University of Sint Maarten School of Medicine will be able to:

• Develop strategies for continuous individual improvement through monitoring performances, reflection, engaging in new learning, applying new learning, and monitoring impact of learning.
• Accept constructive criticism and modify behavior based on feedback.
• Develop clinical questions related to patients’ problems and demonstrate skills to find evidence that is relevant and valid information to answer clinical questions using medical information technology.

Communication Competencies Objectives:

Goal Statement: Medical students are expected to demonstrate skills that result in effective communication and collaboration with patients, families, and professional associates. Graduates from American University of Sint Maarten School of Medicine will be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to establish a positive patient-doctor relationship based on mutual trust and respect for patients’ privacy, dignity, individual integrity and culture.
• Communicate with others in a respectful, professional and non-judgmental manner and demonstrate effective listening skills (e.g., maintaining eye contact, body posture, verbal and non-verbal facilitation skills).
• Demonstrate the ability to give a clear, concise, and organized oral presentation and written documentation of a history and physical exam with basic elements of assessment and plan that addresses the psychosocial and biomedical needs of the patient for a focused or complete patient encounter.

Professionalism:

Goal Statement: Medical students are expected to demonstrate professional behavior, commitment to ethical principles, and sensitivity to diverse patient populations. Graduates from American University of Sint Maarten School of Medicine will be able to:

• Demonstrate honesty, integrity, and ethical behavior in all interactions with patients and other health care professionals.
• Fulfill professional commitments in a timely and responsible manner.
• Maintain appropriate professional appearance and composure.
• Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to a diverse patient population, including but not limited to diversity in gender, age, race, religion, disabilities and sexual orientation and investigate impact of those on clinical care and medical decisions.