Health and Technical Standards

Technical Standards for Matriculation, Retention and Graduation

The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine indicates the holder is a physician who is prepared to enter into supervised practice in a graduate medical education training program.

In order to be qualified for the D.O. degree, future training and subsequent licensure, the candidate must have demonstrated competency in five requisite areas: observation and sensory; communication; motor; intellectual-conceptual; and behavioral and social attributes. Matriculants are required to demonstrate said competencies to provide safe and effective medical care in a wide variety of clinical environments.

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Observation and Sensory

The matriculant must be willing and able to participate in demonstrations and experiments in the biomedical sciences including, but not limited to microbiologic cultures, microscopic examination of microorganisms and tissues, cadaver dissection, interpretation of ECGs and radiographic images. The matriculant must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand by gathering visual and olfactory information to detect disease and dysfunction. Matriculants must be able to use touch and detect changes of temperature and pressure to complete required physical examinations and perform osteopathic structural assessments on standardized patients and/or peers of all genders regardless of the body type, size, gender, gender identity and/or expression (including a transgender identity), sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion or religious creed, disability, or military or veteran status of the individual.

Communication

The matriculant must be able to assess and communicate with patients to elicit information, describe changes in affect, activity and posture and perceive nonverbal communications. The matriculant must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients. The matriculant must be able to communicate independently, effectively, and efficiently with all members of the health care team. The matriculant must be able to communicate efficiently and effectively using written text.

Motor and Sensory

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Intellectual - Conceptual

The matriculant must be able to demonstrate the ability to observe, measure, calculate and utilize information to engage in critical thinking and problem solving in both individual and group contexts that are essential to the function of a physician. Matriculants must also be able to comprehend multidimensional spatial relationships. 

Behavioral and Social Attributes

The student must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt and effective completion of all responsibility’s attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients. The matriculant must be able to tolerate physically and emotionally taxing workloads and be able to function effectively under stress. A matriculant must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility and to learn to function in the face of the uncertainties inherent in the clinical care of patients. Compassion, integrity, empathy, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the educational process.

Patient Safety Measures

Infectious Diseases: Health care providers in contact with patients are at risk for contracting and transmitting infectious diseases. All health care providers must maintain immunization requirements that are established for their own protection and that of served populations against preventable communicable illness.

The Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine requires documentation of appropriate immunization and vaccination of all students. Requirements are guided by current recommendation for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for health care personnel.

Prior to matriculation, students are expected to receive required immunizations/vaccinations and provide documentation of proof of immunity. Influenza immunization is required during flu season. Clinical affiliates may have other, more stringent requirements for immunizations and vaccinations.

If a student is unable to provide documentation, he/she is considered unvaccinated. Tuberculosis screening is also required of all incoming students and students participating in summer programs involving clinical activities through the Heritage College.

Please consult the Immunizations, Proof of Immunity and TB Screening Requirements for details.

Students who are accepted to the Heritage College and students on the alternate list will receive a letter explaining immunization and serologic proof of immunity requirements and the Immunization Status Report form from the Office of Medical Education.

Charges for immunization and antibody titers are the responsibility of the student.

Criminal Background Check

The matriculant must submit to a criminal background check that includes both Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification and Federal Bureau of Investigation searches. The college mandates the criminal background check of the matriculant to be in compliance with the requirements of the state of Ohio and the clinical affiliates of the college. A criminal background check will be required every two years the matriculant is enrolled in the college.

More information on how and when to request a criminal background check can be found here.