School of Medicine Technical Standards

After enrollment, Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine students will review the technical standards each academic year and attest that they continue to meet the following standards with or without reasonable accommodation. The listed technical standards that must be met to matriculate into and to progress through the curriculum.

At any time, if a new or developing concern arises and an accommodation exchange must occur, the student has the right to pursue it with the Student Experience Office within the School of Medicine.

Required Technical Standards

School of Medicine students MUST exhibit the following:

Ethics & Professionalism

Medical students must demonstrate honesty, integrity, and respect in all academic, clinical, and interpersonal interactions. They are required to comply with legal and ethical standards and to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the role of a physician.

Communication

Medical students must communicate effectively and sensitively in English through verbal, written, and non-verbal means. They must be able to elicit and convey information with accuracy and clarity in order to ensure safe and effective patient care and collaboration with peers, faculty, and clinical preceptors.

Physical Capacity

Medical students must be able to acquire information through observation, demonstration, and direct patient interaction. They must possess the motor skills and coordination required to conduct physical examinations, perform diagnostic maneuvers such as palpation, percussion, and auscultation, and carry out clinical procedures including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, intravenous access, wound management, and other urgent interventions. Medical Students must maintain the mobility, strength, and endurance necessary to respond promptly to clinical demands in varied settings.

Cognitive Ability

Medical students must assimilate, analyze, and apply complex medical information in a timely and accurate manner. They must demonstrate critical reasoning, problem-solving, and sound clinical judgment in classroom, laboratory, and patient care settings.

Emotional Stability

Medical students must maintain professional composure, empathy, and respect in stressful or sensitive situations. They are expected to demonstrate adaptability, resilience, and self-awareness, recognizing personal limitations, and seeking support when appropriate.

Mature Responsibility

Medical students must meet academic and clinical obligations in a timely manner, adhere to institutional and clinical site policies, and demonstrate the ability to adapt to varied environments. They must accept feedback constructively, modify behavior when necessary, and function effectively as both team members and leaders.

Sense of Accountability

Medical students must be responsible to patients, peers, faculty, and themselves. They are expected to demonstrate a sustained commitment to professional growth, lifelong learning, and the standards of the medical profession.

Accommodations

The School of Medicine provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Medical students seeking accommodation must self-identify and submit appropriate documentation to the University Student Access and Accommodation Services office (SAAS). Each request will be reviewed and evaluated by the University to determine appropriate accommodation that does not alter the essential requirements of the MD program. All requests must be submitted in a timely manner to permit adequate evaluation and implementation. Medical students remain responsible for demonstrating the ability to fulfill the Technical Standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, to enter and complete the MD curriculum.

The Student Experience Office within the School of Medicine will handle requests for accommodations. At any time, if a new or developing concern arises and an accommodation revision must occur, the student has the right to pursue it with the Student Experience Office. Documentation of the attestations, accommodations, and diagnoses will be kept on file in the Student Experience Office.