Health and Technical Standards

Health and Technical Standards for Admission and Graduation

Technical Standards for Enrollment, Retention and Graduation

The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine signifies that the individual is a physician who is competent to practice medicine in any Graduate Medical Education Training Program and capable of medical licensure. Every graduate is required to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to provide safe and effective medical care to diverse patients in a broad variety of clinical settings. Thus, each student admitted to, retained by, and graduated from the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine must demonstrate that they possess the ability to develop the skills and qualities required to practice direct patient care regardless of his or her ultimate career goals. 

The Heritage College requires that students meet the following technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodations, as a condition of enrollment and participation in the osteopathic medical program. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended, reasonable accommodations include those assistive devices and strategies that do not change the essential requirements of the osteopathic curricular requirements and do not change the established standards of performance determined to be acceptable. Assistive strategies that use trained intermediaries to obtain and interpret data on behalf of the student will not be accepted as reasonable.

1. Observation

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

3. Motor and Sensory

The student 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 student 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 student 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 student 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 student 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 types, 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 student must possess the physical and mental stamina necessary to reliably and fully participate in the curriculum, including small groups learning activities, simulation exercises, computer-based learning activities, computer-based examination, and clinical rotations.  

4. Intellectual – Conceptual

The student 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. Students must also be able to comprehend multidimensional spatial relationships.

5. Behavioral and Social Attributes

The student must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her 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 student must be able to tolerate physically and emotionally taxing workloads and be able to function effectively under stress. A student 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 healthcare 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.

Please consult the  Medical Student Immunization/Vaccination requirements and Proof of Immunity policy  for details on each vaccination requirement and documentation of immunity. 

Note: Students participating in the Summer Scholars program are required to provide additional documentation of one Meningitis vaccination.

Tuberculosis (TB) screening is also required of all incoming students and students participating in summer programs involving clinical activities through the Heritage College. Please consult the Tuberculosis Screening Policy for guideline details and recommendations.

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 Academic Affairs.

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

Criminal Background Check

Background checks are required to comply with various provisions of Ohio law, stipulations outlined in agreements with the educational and clinical affiliates of Heritage College, and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Students must submit a background check 60 days prior to the proposed start of classes or clinical rotations. Background checks will be conducted in conjunction with the student’s local law enforcement agencies or vendor, as instructed by Heritage College. The background checks will access both the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI & I) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation databases (FBI). 

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