Health and Technical Standards

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.

The Heritage College requires that matriculants be capable of meeting the technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodations, as a condition of enrollment in the osteopathic medical program. Reasonable accommodations, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended, includes those assistive devices and strategies that enable matriculants to successfully meet the established standards of academic performance and requirements of the osteopathic curricular program. These assistive devices and strategies do not alter the essential requirements of the osteopathic curricular requirements and do not change the established standards of performance determined to be acceptable. The use of trained intermediaries to obtain and interpret data from patients will not be considered as acceptable or reasonable assistive strategies. National Board of Osteopathic Examiners technical requirements may have more stringent standards than outlined in this document. Students seeking accommodations during the application process or after matriculation are encouraged to contact Student Accessibility Services at 740.593.2620.

1. Observation

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.

2. 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.

3. Motor and Sensory

The matriculant must be able to independently perform comprehensive physical examination maneuvers such as auscultation, palpation, and percussion in order to learn to detect disease and dysfunction. The matriculant must be able to independently perform a variety of procedures required for general and emergency patient care including, but not limited to venipuncture, bladder catheterization, arthrocentesis, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, application of pressure to stop severe bleeding, management of obstructed airways, suturing of simple wounds and performance of routine obstetrical and gynecologic procedures. The matriculant must be able to perform these procedures within prescribed time limitations relative to the context of the practicing physician performing such emergency care procedures. As part of the curriculum requirements for the D.O. degree, the student must learn diagnostic and therapeutic touch, including Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine techniques.

Accordingly, the matriculant must be able to independently perform diagnostic and therapeutic touch including Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine techniques on any instructor, peer, or sample patient 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 and the matriculant must be willing and able to have these modalities performed upon them by any instructor or peer regardless of the instructor or peer’s 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. The matriculant must possess the physical and mental stamina necessary to participate in the curriculum reliably and fully, including small group learning activities, simulation exercises, computer-based learning activities, computer-based examinations, and clinical rotations.

4. 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.

5. Behavioral and Social Attributes

The matriculant 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 responsibilities 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 (CDC) 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 recommended 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 policy 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.

Students will be responsible for the expense incurred for said criminal background checks. 

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