Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
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TCOM Educational Program Objectives

TCOM’s educational program objectives (EPOs) focus on student development of the seven osteopathic core competencies of medical knowledge, patient care, communication, professionalism, practice-based learning, system-based practice, and osteopathic principles and practice/osteopathic manipulative treatment. The EPOs were created by TCOM faculty using the definition provided by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA): educational program objectives are statements of the knowledge, skills, behavior and attitudes that osteopathic medical students are expected to demonstrate as evidence of their achievement prior to successful complete of the program (2023 COCA Standards).

TCOM Educational Program Objectives

  • Approach the patient from a holistic perspective incorporating the relationship of mind, body, and spirit.
  • Apply the interrelationship of structure and function in diagnosis and treatment, including OMT.
  • Assess, diagnose, and manage patients utilizing osteopathic principles and philosophy.
  • Articulate foundational biomedical science, epidemiological, and clinical science concepts.
  • Apply principles of foundational biomedical sciences and pathophysiology to explain common and important patient presentations.
  • Use foundational science knowledge and evidence-based guidelines to prevent, diagnose, treat, manage, and explain common and important medical conditions.
  • Provide culturally appropriate, interprofessional and patient-centered services related to health-promotion and disease prevention.
  • Gather clinical information, perform a physical exam, and provide proper medical documentation as appropriate for the patient’s presentation.
  • Develop and prioritize a differential diagnosis based on patient’s findings.
  • Properly perform essential clinical procedures including OMM.
  • Partner with the patient to initiate an osteopathic treatment and management plan that addresses the whole person.
  • Initiate and conduct a holistic, osteopathic, and patient-centered interview.
  • Demonstrate appropriate written and verbal communication with the patient and other health care professionals.
  • Communicate and collaborate effectively as a part of a health care team.
  • Demonstrate professional and humanistic knowledge and behavior.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and behavior of ethics and accountability.
  • Demonstrate awareness of cultural competency and cultural humility.
  • Model professional behavior with a commitment to personal self-care, continuous learning, and honest business practice.
  • Describe and apply evidence-based medical principles using biostatistics and epidemiology.
  • Critically evaluate and apply research and medical information to inform and use for patient care.
  • Describe and apply methods to understand and address public/population health and health disparities.
  • Demonstrate understanding of health delivery systems and how they impact patients, physicians, health care professionals, resources, and access to care.
  • Apply Health Systems Science to advocate and improve care for individuals and populations.

This page was last modified on July 1, 2024