Program Expectations
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine students should be aware of these five technical standards.
Technical Standards
Accordingly, the following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to AZCOM with reasonable accommodation. A candidate must have abilities and skills in five areas:
- Observation
- Communication
- Motor
- Intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative
- Behavioral/social
Technological Compensation
Technological compensation can be made for some limitation in certain of these areas, but candidates should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.
1. Observation
The candidate must be able to accurately make observations at a distance and close at hand, including those on a computer screen or electronic device.
Observation necessitates the functional use of vision and sense of touch and is enhanced by the functional use of all of the other senses. (The candidate must be able to accurately auscultate lung/breath, heart and bowel sounds to complete the curricular requirement to individually complete physical examination of a patient.)
2. Communication
The candidate must be able to communicate in English, proficiently and sensitively, in verbal and written form, and be able to perceive nonverbal communication.
3. Motor
Candidates must be able to coordinate both gross and fine motor movements, maintain equilibrium and have functional use of the senses of touch and vision. The candidate must possess sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control and eye-to-hand coordination to perform profession-specific skills and tasks. Candidates must be able to lift 20 lbs.
4. Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities
The candidate must be able to problem solve, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, record and synthesize large amounts of information in a timely manner. The candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships.
5. Behavioral and Social Attributes
The candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment and the consistent, prompt, completion of all responsibilities and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships.
Candidates must be able to tolerate physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. The candidate must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness and ability to function as an effective team player, interest and motivation to learn are all personal qualities required during the educational process.
The candidate must agree to participate in touching/palpating on the skin and being touched/palpated on the skin by individuals, regardless of gender in all academic settings, including osteopathic manipulative techniques. These activities will take place in large and small group settings as directed in the College's curricular requirements.
Can You Meet These Standards?
Candidates are required to verify that they understand and are able to meet these Technical Standards at least four weeks prior to matriculation (or if admitted later, within one week of deposit).
Candidates who may only meet Technical Standards with accommodation, must contact the Office of Student Services to make a formal request for accommodation. The Dean of Students, in consultation with the College Dean/Program Director, will determine what reasonable accommodations can be provided. The College is not able to grant accommodations that alter the educational standards of the curriculum.
Accommodations
Students must meet the Technical Standards for the duration of enrollment at the College. After matriculation, if a student fails to continue to meet the Technical Standards during subsequent enrollment, the student may apply for accommodation by contacting the Office of Student Services. If the accommodation needed to meet the Technical Standards alters the educational standards of the curriculum, the student's ability to satisfactorily progress in the curriculum will be evaluated by the appropriate College's Student Promotion and Graduation Committee.