Graduate Programs

Student Learning Outcomes

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)

The competent graduate in the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) program of the Indiana University School of Medicine will demonstrate competence in the following areas:

1. Effective Communication
  • Listen attentively and communicates clearly with patients, families, and health care team members.
  • Establish the rapport necessary to form and maintain a therapeutic relationship with the patient.
2. Basic Clinical Skills
  • Elicit and record a complete and accurate history and performs a skillful examination appropriate to a variety of patient encounters.
  • Correctly determine whether to perform a comprehensively or suitably focused history and physical examination.
  • Correctly select, proficiently perform, and accurately interpret selected clinical procedures and laboratory tests.
3. Using Science to Guide Diagnosis, Management, Therapeutics and Prevention
  • Know and explain the scientific underpinnings at the molecular, cellular, organ, whole body, and environmental levels for states of health and disease based upon current understandings and cutting-edge advances in contemporary basic science.
  • Use this information to diagnose, manage, and prevent the common health problems of individuals, families, and communities in collaboration with them.
  • Develop a problem list and differential diagnosis.
  • Carry out additional investigations.
  • Choose and implement interventions with consultation and referral as needed.
  • Determine outcome goals.
  • Recognize and utilize opportunities for prevention.
  • Monitor progress.
  • Share information and educate.
  • Adjust therapy and diagnosis according to results.
4. Lifelong Learning
  • Aware of the limits of his/her personal knowledge and experience.
  • Actively set and pursue clear learning goals.
  • Exploit new opportunities for intellectual growth and professional enlightenment.
  • Capable of critical, reliable, and valid self-assessment, and can apply the knowledge gained to the practice of his/her profession.
5. Self-Awareness, Self-Care and Personal Growth
  • Approache the practice of medicine with awareness of his/her limits, strengths, weaknesses, and personal vulnerabilities.
  • Assess personal values and priorities in order to develop and maintain and appropriate balance of personal and professional commitments.
  • Seek help and advice when needed for his/her own difficulties and develop personally appropriate coping strategies.
  • Recognize his/her effect on others in professional contacts. 
  • Seek, accurately receive, and appropriately respond to performance feedback.
6. The Social and Community Context of Health Care
  • Recognize the diverse factors that influence the health of the individual and the community.
  • Identify the sociocultural, familial, psychological, economic, legal, political, and spiritual factors impacting health care and health care delivery.
  • Respond to these factors by planning and advocating the appropriate course of action at both the individual and the community level.
7. Moral Reasoning and Ethical Judgment
  • Have a comprehensive understanding of the foundations and components of medical ethics and moral reasoning and is able to use that knowledge in addressing ethical issues in his/her practice of medicine.
  • Recognize the ethical issues of medical practice and health policy.
  • Identify alternatives in difficult ethical choices.
  • Systematically analyze the conflicting considerations supporting different alternatives.
  • Formulate, defend, and effectively carry out a course of action that takes account of this ethical complexity.
  • Combine a willingness to recognize the nature of the value systems of patients and others with commitment to his/her own system and the ethical choices necessary to maintain his/her own ethical integrity.
8. Problem Solving
  • Recognize and thoroughly characterize a problem.
  • Develop an informed plan of action, act to resolve the problem, and subsequently assess the results of his/her action.
  • Display competence in basic problem solving skills as applied to medical problems.
  • Know how to interpret and apply information and knowledge to understand and solve straightforward problems.
9. Professionalism and Role Recognition
  • Recognize the powerful impact of his/her professional attitudes and behaviors on others.
  • Consistently demonstrate the highest standards of excellence, duty, and accountability to the patient.
  • Value the humanity of all patients and does not exploit the patient for personal gain.
  • Recognize his/her role in working collaboratively with others to meet the health care needs of the individual and the community.