AZPod Competencies

Arizona School of Podiatric Medicine

Graduating students of the Arizona School of Podiatric Medicine will achieve the following competencies:

I. Basic Science

Demonstrate knowledge of the basic sciences which provide the foundations of podiatric clinical training, residency training and practice.

• Demonstrate knowledge of normal human anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and the structure and function of the human body.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the causes of disease and the consequences of altered structure or function of the human body and its organ systems.
• Demonstrate an understanding of pharmacological principles and interventions.
• Demonstrate knowledge of microbes (bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites) and the diseases that they cause.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the structure and function of the immune system.

II. Patient Care

Demonstrate patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the promotion of health, prevention, and treatment of lower extremity disease.

• Perform and interpret a history and physical examination as it relates to the pathology of the lower extremity.
• Order and interpret the most frequent clinical, laboratory, imaging, gait, and other diagnostic studies used to detect and diagnose pathologies of the lower extremity.
• Formulate appropriate differential diagnoses and plans of management, which may include patient education, prevention programs and treatment strategies.
• Understand how to perform treatment techniques by medical and surgical means, recognizing the need to refer when necessary.
• Assess treatment plans and revise as necessary.

Capably assess medical conditions and recognize those that require referral to other professionals within the health care community.

• Perform a complete medical history and physical examination.
• Recognize abnormal medical history and physical findings and formulate a differential diagnosis, especially for conditions with impact and expression in the lower extremities.
• Order and interpret the most frequently used diagnostic studies.
• Develop management plans which may incorporate health promotion and education, diagnostic modalities, and appropriate referrals.

III. Professionalism

Demonstrate a commitment to professional service, adherence to ethical principles and sensitivity to diverse patient populations and awareness of one's own interests and vulnerabilities.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical boundaries of the doctor-patient relationship.
• Demonstrate knowledge of state laws governing the practice of the profession.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of bioethics including customary and accepted standards of professional practice.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of self-regulation of the profession.
• Practice with honesty in relationships with patients, peers and faculty.
• Recognize the need to deliver care in a caring, compassionate and humane way to meet the needs of patients regardless of their individual circumstances.

IV. Life-Long Learning & Critical Thinking

Demonstrate the ability to appraise and assimilate scientific evidence and methods to investigate, evaluate and improve patient care practices.

• Retrieve (from electronic databases and other resources), interpret, manage, and utilize biomedical information for solving problems and making decisions that are relevant to the care of individuals and populations.
• Critically evaluate the information published in professional and scientific literature.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of research methodology.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of evidence based medicine.
• Utilize critical thinking and problem solving skills in patient management.

V. Communication

Demonstrate professional behavior that acknowledges and respects the roles of other healthcare professionals in providing needed services to individual patients, populations, or communities in a multidisciplinary manner and/or in an interdisciplinary setting.

• Effectively communicate and work collaboratively with other health professionals and the community to promote the delivery of quality healthcare services to patients.
• Use effective listening, questioning, nonverbal, and writing skills to communicate with patients, families and professional associates.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with patients, patients' families, colleagues, and others with whom podiatric physicians must exchange information in carrying out their responsibilities.
• Demonstrate appropriate choice and method of referral to other healthcare providers and agencies.

VI. Practice Management

Practice and manage patient care in a variety of diverse communities, healthcare settings, and living arrangements in a manner that acknowledges cultural sensitivities.

• Apply principles of risk management, including informed consent and records maintenance.
• Comply with state and federal regulations including OSHA and HIPAA.
• Comply with protocols for cleanliness/universal precautions.
• Demonstrate knowledge of healthcare insurance products, including fee for service, independent practice associations (IPA), preferred provider organizations (PPO), health maintenance organizations (HMO), capitation, etc.
• Demonstrate knowledge of insurance issues, including professional and general liability, disability, and worker's compensation.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the purpose and use of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) codes.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the regulation of practice, including federal and state regulations, Stark Law, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) license requirements, and scope of practice.