ACSOM Technical Standards

Candidates must be able to meet the technical standards outlined below, for admission, progression and graduation, with or without reasonable accommodation. These standards define the essential functions expected of all students throughout the duration of their medical education. 

The standards: 

1. Observation Candidates must be able to observe demonstrations, laboratory exercises, and clinical encounters. They must accurately gather visual, auditory, and tactile information, directly or with assistive devices, to assess scientific and clinical phenomena. 

2. Communication Candidates must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, families, and healthcare teams. This includes the ability to receive and convey verbal and nonverbal information, read and comprehend written material, and produce clear documentation. 

3. Motor Function Candidates must possess sufficient motor skills to perform physical examinations and clinical procedures. This includes emergency interventions such as airway management, wound care, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. 

4. Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities Candidates must be able to analyze, synthesize, and apply information from various sources to solve problems, make clinical decisions, and demonstrate sound judgment in academic and patient care settings. 

5. Behavioral and Social Attributes Candidates must exhibit emotional maturity, adaptability, and integrity. They must develop and sustain respectful, ethical, and effective relationships with patients, peers, and faculty while functioning under stress and adapting to dynamic environments. 

6. Ethics and Professionalism Candidates must demonstrate honesty, accountability, and respect for patient confidentiality. They must adhere to professional codes of conduct and institutional policies while upholding the responsibilities and values of the medical profession. Student disability disclosure and accommodation Requests Students with disabilities are expected to initiate a request for reasonable accommodations as early as possible, ideally upon acceptance and prior to matriculation. This ensures adequate time for documentation review and implementation of support measures.