Programs
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Dual-Degree Programs
The curriculum at KCU-COM consists of a minimum of four years of structured training leading to the doctor of osteopathic medicine. The first two years of the curriculum center upon the foundations of basic and clinical medical sciences. Osteopathic principles and philosophy as well as contemporary concepts in medical education are integrated into the curriculum. The last two years of medical education focus on training in clinical settings.
Osteopathic Principles
The osteopathic philosophy embraces the idea of the unity of structure (anatomy) and function (physiology). There are four main principles of osteopathic medicine:
- The body is a unit, and the person represents a combination of body, mind and spirit.
- The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing and health maintenance.
- Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.
- Rational treatment is based on an understanding of these principles: body unity, self-regulation and the interrelationship of structure and function.
The Osteopathic Oath
I do hereby affirm my loyalty to the profession I am about to enter.
I will be mindful always of my great responsibility to preserve the health and the life of my patients, to retain their confidence and respect both as a physician and a friend who will guard their secrets with scrupulous honor and fidelity, to perform faithfully my professional duties, to employ only those recognized methods of treatment consistent with good judgment and with my skill and ability, keeping in mind always nature’s laws and the body’s inherent capacity for recovery.
I will be ever vigilant in aiding in the general welfare of the community, sustaining its laws and institutions, not engaging in those practices which will, in any way, bring shame or discredit upon myself or my profession. I will give no drugs for deadly purposes to any person, though it be asked of me.
I will endeavor to work in accord with my colleagues in a spirit of progressive cooperation, and never by word or by act cast imputations upon them or their rightful practices.
I will look with respect and esteem upon all those who have taught me my art. To my college I will be loyal and strive always for its best interests and for the interests of the students who will come after me. I will be ever alert to further the application of basic biologic truths to the healing arts and to develop the principles of osteopathy which were first enunciated by Andrew Taylor Still.
Mission Statement
The College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) prepares students to become highly competent, caring and compassionate osteopathic physicians who demonstrate the highest level of professionalism, ethics and sensitivity to the diverse personal and cultural contexts in which care is delivered. We are committed to the service of humanity and advancement of knowledge through a collaborative environment that provides distinctive osteopathic clinical training and fosters excellence in education, research and scholarly activity, and lifelong learning.
Vision
The College of Osteopathic Medicine is recognized as a leader in osteopathic medical education and health care by exceeding standards of academic and clinical achievement.
Curriculum Philosophy
The purpose of the curriculum is to advance the mission of the university in preparing its graduates to be highly competent, caring and compassionate osteopathic physicians.
The College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) has an integrated, interdisciplinary systems-based curriculum that emphasizes patient care, utilizes active learning techniques and cultivates the competencies and professional skills necessary for becoming a member of an interprofessional healthcare team.
KCU-COM curriculum is divided into four distinct phases with each phase having specific and focused learning outcomes. The first phase of the curriculum introduces the organ systems with a focus on the normal structure and function relationships. Basic biomedical science disciplines are covered in all phase one system courses. Clinical skills in phase one of the curriculum emphasize effective patient communication centered around history taking and physical exam skills.
The second phase of the curriculum begins in the spring semester of the first year and includes programmed repetition of the phase one system courses with an emphasis on differential diagnosis, disease mechanisms, treatment and patient care. Students learn to develop a differential diagnosis and treatment plan of various patient presentations through problem solving and performing a focused patient history and physical exam.
Essentials of Clinical and Osteopathic Skills is a competency-based, longitudinal course scheduled concurrent to all systems courses throughout the preclinical COM curriculum. This course emphasizes foundational knowledge in clinical medicine and osteopathic manipulation while integrating topics relevant to the current system course. The COM curriculum utilizes simulated patient experiences, manikin-based simulations and other simulated encounters to assess the clinical competencies and osteopathic skills of students so they meet the expectations of core clinical rotations and electives in the third and fourth years.
The curricular goal by the end of year two is to engender in our students the general ability to think diagnostically at an appropriate level as a physician-in-training. The expectation is that students bring those capabilities to core clinical rotations and electives in phases three and four.
Phases three and four of the COM curriculum focus on patient care through clinical clerkship learning opportunities. Throughout the clinical clerkship years, learners develop excellence in all aspects of physician tasks (explain, diagnose, treatment, management, communication, professionalism, and prevention)
The overarching curricular goal across all four phases of the COM curriculum is that each graduate has the requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes to successfully complete residency and become a fully-trained osteopathic physician.
Code of Professional Conduct
Upon matriculation at Kansas City University, I have become a member of the osteopathic medical profession. I understand that I will be expected to maintain and promote the ethical standards that my profession embodies.
I will enter into a relationship of mutual respect with my teachers and my colleagues to enhance the learning environment and gain the knowledge, skills and attitudes of an exemplary member of the medical profession. I will adhere to the highest standards of integrity, honesty and personal conduct at all times off and on campus. I will recognize my strengths and my weaknesses and strive to develop those qualities that will earn the respect of my patients, my colleagues, my family and myself.
AOA Code of Ethics
The American Osteopathic Association has formulated this Code to guide its member physicians in their professional lives. The standards presented are designed to address the osteopathic physician’s ethical and professional responsibilities to patients, to society, to the AOA, to others involved in healthcare and to self.
Further, the American Osteopathic Association has adopted the position that physicians should play a major role in the development and instruction of medical ethics.
Section 1. The physician shall keep in confidence whatever she/he may learn about a patient in the discharge of professional duties. The physician shall divulge information only when required by law or when authorized by the patient.
Section 2. The physician shall give a candid account of the patient’s condition to the patient or to those responsible for the patient’s care.
Section 3. A physician-patient relationship must be founded on mutual trust, cooperation and respect. The patient, therefore, must have complete freedom to choose her/his physician. The physician must have complete freedom to choose patients whom she/he will serve. However, the physician should not refuse to accept patients because of the patient’s race, creed, color, sex, national origin or handicap. In emergencies, a physician should make her/his services available.
Section 4. A physician is never justified in abandoning a patient. The physician shall give due notice to a patient or to those responsible for the patient’s care when she/he withdraws from the case so that another physician may be engaged.
Section 5. A physician shall practice in accordance with the body of systematized and scientific knowledge related to the healing arts. A physician shall maintain competence in such systematized and scientific knowledge through study and clinical applications.
Section 6. The osteopathic medical profession has an obligation to society to maintain its high standards and, therefore, to continuously regulate itself. A substantial part of such regulation is due to the efforts and influence of the recognized local, state and national associations representing the osteopathic medical profession. A physician should maintain membership in and actively support such associations and abide by their rules and regulations.
Section 7. Under the law a physician may advertise, but no physician shall advertise or solicit patients directly or indirectly through the use of matters or activities, which are false or misleading.
Section 8. A physician shall not hold forth or indicate possession of any degree recognized as the basis for licensure to practice the healing arts unless he is actually licensed on the basis of that degree in the state in which she/he practices. A physician shall designate her/his osteopathic school of practice in all professional uses of her/his name. Indications of specialty practice, membership in professional societies, and related matters shall be governed by rules promulgated by the American Osteopathic Association.
Section 9. A physician should not hesitate to seek consultation whenever she/he believes it advisable for the care of the patient.
Section 10. In any dispute between or among physicians involving ethical or organizational matters, the matter in controversy should first be referred to the appropriate arbitrating bodies of the profession.
Section 11. In any dispute between or among physicians regarding the diagnosis and treatment of a patient, the attending physician has the responsibility for final decisions, consistent with any applicable osteopathic hospital rules or regulations.
Section 12. Any fee charged by a physician shall compensate the physician for services actually rendered. There shall be no division of professional fees for referrals of patients.
Section 13. A physician shall respect the law. When necessary a physician shall attempt to help to formulate the law by all proper means in order to improve patient care and public health.
Section 14. In addition to adhering to the foregoing ethical standards, a physician shall recognize a responsibility to participate in community activities and services.
Section 15. It is considered sexual misconduct for a physician to have sexual contact with any current patient whom the physician has interviewed and/or upon whom a medical or surgical procedure has been performed.
Section 16. Sexual harassment by a physician is considered unethical. Sexual harassment is defined as physical or verbal intimation of a sexual nature involving a colleague or subordinate in the workplace or academic setting, when such conduct creates an unreasonable, intimidating, hostile or offensive workplace or academic setting.
Section 17. From time to time, industry may provide some AOA members with gifts as an inducement to use their products or services. Members who use these products and services as a result of these gifts, rather than simply for the betterment of their patients and the improvement of the care rendered in their practices, shall be considered to have acted in an unethical manner.
Section 18. A physician shall not intentionally misrepresent himself/herself or his/her research work in any way.
Section 19. When participating in research, a physician shall follow the current laws, regulations and standards of the U.S. or, if the research is conducted outside the U.S., the laws, regulations and standards applicable to research in the nation where the research is conducted. This standard shall apply for physician involvement in research at any level and degree of responsibility, including, but not limited to, research, design, funding, participation either as examining and/or treating provider, supervision of other staff in their research, analysis of data and publication of results in any form for any purpose.
Practicing Medicine
COM students shall not engage in any activity that may be construed as the practice of medicine or any phase thereof, without prior written approval of an exception.
Students are prohibited from accepting any form of payment or gratuity for their clinical activities. Clinical activities of students are not permitted without the appropriate supervision of a licensed faculty physician.
In no event shall a student represent, either directly or indirectly, that the student is licensed to practice medicine as a graduate of this University or otherwise, unless such student is, in fact, a licensed practitioner.
The determination of whether a student’s activity violates this policy shall be that of the University alone. Students with questions regarding this policy should submit them in writing to a member of Student Services. The Student Services team can counsel students on this policy. Violation of this policy may result in the immediate disciplinary action.