ACGME Core Competencies 

ACGME CORE COMPETENCIES- Expectations for performance by PGY level 

PATIENT CARE: Residents are expected to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health. 

·         PGY I:

1)     Performance of comprehensive history and physical examination

2)     Synthesis of data into problem list and formulation of diagnostic plan with some supervision

3)     Daily patient progress notes and close follow up of diagnostic tests/interventions

4)     Daily communication with supervising attending physician

5)     Effective communication skills accompanied by respectful and professional behavior in all interactions with patients and families 

·         PGY 2 and 3:

1)     Fulfillment of all the expectations of a PGY 1 as listed above

2)     Formulation of independent diagnostic and therapeutic plans with the supervision of supervising attending physician

3)     Coordination of patient care among all members of the health care team

4)     Counseling and education of patients and their families

5)     Development of competence in performing the core procedural skills essential to the practice of medicine  

MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE: Residents must demonstrate knowledge about established and evolving biomedical, clinical, and social-behavioral sciences, and the application of this knowledge to patient care 

·         PGY I: 

1)     Basic knowledge of pathopysiology, pharmacology, and clinical disease states

2)     Demonstration of an analytic approach to clinical situations

3)     Self directed learning and reading of pertinent medical literature

4)     Participation in organized educational activities that are designed to develop/expand medical knowledge base and to teach analytic thinking and problem solving:

a.      Attending rounds

b.      Noon conferences (4 hours/week)

c.      Morning report (1 hour daily)

d.      Ambulatory clinic teaching conferences 

·         PGY 2 and 3: 

1)     Fulfillment of all the requirements for PGY 1

2)     Development of deeper understanding of disease states and their management

3)     Development of skills in the reading and interpretation of the medical literature with application to patient care

4)     Participation in monthly journal club (mandatory for PGY 3’s) 

PRACTICE-BASED LEARNING AND IMPROVEMENT:  Residents must be able to investigate and evaluate their patient care practices, appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and improve their patient care practices. 

·         PGY 1: 

1)     Demonstration of a willingness to learn from errors

2)     Participation at morbidity and mortality conferences

3)     Participation in performance improvement activities – e.g. periodic ambulatory chart review of health maintenance practices

4)     Utilization of available medical data bases, evidence based medicine resources to support clinical decision making

5)     Education of students and other health care professionals 

·         PGY 2 and 3: 

1)     Fulfillment of all the requirements for PGY 1

2)     Application of knowledge of study designs and statistical methods to the appraisal of clinical studies

a.      These skills are emphasized in OBMT rotations, journal club, ambulatory clinics

3)     Development of competence in bedside teaching

4)     Facilitate learning of students, junior residents and other health care professionals 

INTERPERSONAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Residents must be able to demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange and teaming with patients, families and professional associates.·      

·         PGY 1,2 and 3: 

1)     Development of strong language and documentation skills

a.      Succinct and comprehensive case presentations, progress notes

b.      Comprehensive computer based sign out of patient care issues

2)     Efficient but comprehensive information exchange with colleagues, health care professionals, patients and their families

3)     Development of effective listening skills

4)     Establishment of a therapeutic and ethically sound relationship with patients and their families

5)     Development of effective negotiation and leadership skills that assist in conflict avoidance, resolution (PGY 2 and 3 level) 

PROFESSIONALISM: Residents must demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities, adherence to ethical principles, and sensitivity to a diverse patient population. 

·         PGY 1,2 and 3: 

1)     Demonstration of respect, compassion and integrity in all interactions with patients, colleagues and other health professionals

2)     Maintenance of a professional appearance

3)     Commitment to ethical principles pertaining to confidentiality of patient information, informed consent

a.      Compliance with all HIPAA regulations (training provided at orientation)

4)     Commitment to professional responsibility in the completion of all medical records in a timely fashion

5)     Demonstration of a sensitivity to cultural differences, preferences

6)     Development of skills in conflict resolution 

SYSTEMS-BASED PRACTICE: 

·         PGY 1,2 and 3:  Residents must demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care, and the ability to effectively call on system resources to provide care that is of optimal value. 

1)     Development of a basic functional knowledge of different types of medical delivery systems to which they are exposed during training

a.      University, county, and private hospital settings

b.   Exposure to basics of third party insurers

2)     Collaborative efforts with ancillary team members (case management/social workers, utilization review) to provide high quality cost effective health care

3)     Advocacy for patients in a health care system of limited resources