Skip to main content

Medical Knowledge & Scholarship

Our graduates will demonstrate knowledge of the scientific basis of medicine, the ability to apply knowledge to patient care and contribute to scholarship in medicine through research or teaching.

Expand the entries below to learn more about benchmarks in these competencies.

 MKS - 1a

Demonstrate clinically relevant knowledge of the normal structure and function of the body at the molecular, cellular, organ, and system.

  • Does Not Meet: Unable to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of normal structure and function of the body.
  • Phase 1 Benchmark: Demonstrates sufficient knowledge of normal structure and function of the body in the classroom setting.
  • Phase 2 Benchmark: Demonstrates sufficient knowledge of normal structure and function of the body in the context of clinical care of patients.
  • Phase 3 Benchmark: Demonstrates sufficient knowledge of normal structure and function of the body in the context of clinical care of complex patients.
  • Aspirational Behavior: Demonstrates exceptional knowledge base while teaching basic science principles related to normal structure and function.

 MKS - 1b

Demonstrate knowledge of the mechanisms (genetic, developmental, metabolic, toxic, microbiologic, autoimmune, neoplastic, degenerative, and traumatic) of mental and physical illness

  • Does Not Meet: Unable to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of mechanisms of disease.
  • Phase 1 Benchmark: Demonstrates sufficient knowledge of basic mechanisms of disease in the classroom setting.
  • Phase 2 Benchmark: Demonstrates sufficient knowledge of mechanisms of disease in the context of clinical care of patients.
  • Phase 3 Benchmark: Demonstrates sufficient knowledge of mechanisms of disease in the context of clinical care of complex patients.
  • Aspirational Behavior: Demonstrates exceptional knowledge base while teaching basic science principles related to mechanisms of disease.

 MKS - 1c

Demonstrate knowledge of how illness, injury, and age affect function and quality-of-life. 

  • Does Not Meet: Unable to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of functional and quality of life issues.
  • Phase 1 Benchmark: Demonstrates sufficient knowledge of functional and quality of life issues in the classroom setting.
  • Phase 2 Benchmark: Demonstrates sufficient knowledge of functional and quality of life issues in the context of clinical care of patients.
  • Phase 3 Benchmark: Demonstrates sufficient knowledge of functional and quality of life issues in the context of clinical care of complex patients.
  • Aspirational Behavior: Demonstrates exceptional knowledge base while teaching basic science principles related to functional and quality of life issues.

 MKS - 1d

Demonstrates knowledge of the clinical and laboratory manifestations of disease.

  • Does Not Meet: Unable to define and identify disease manifestations for common illnesses.
  • Phase 1 Benchmark: Able to define and identify disease manifestations for common illnesses and describe test characteristics.
  • Phase 2 Benchmark: Able to define and identify disease manifestations for common illnesses and predict test results. 
  • Phase 3 Benchmark: Able to define and identify disease manifestations for complex illnesses and explain the diagnostic testing process for a given disease.
  • Aspirational Behavior: Able to analyze and recommend high value testing appropriate for a given disease.

 MKS - 1e

Demonstrates knowledge of pharmacology and other therapeutic modalities. 

  • Does Not Meet: Unable to explain mechanism of action or side effects of classes of common drugs/ other therapeutic modalities.
  • Phase 1 Benchmark: Able to explain mechanism of action and side effects of classes of common drugs / other therapeutic modalities. 
  • Phase 2 Benchmark: Able to explain mechanism of action and side effects of drugs / other therapeutic modalities and identify indications and contraindications for use in common illnesses.
  • Phase 3 Benchmark: Able to explain mechanism of action and side effects of drugs / other therapeutic modalities and identify indications and contraindications for use in complex illnesses.
  • Aspirational Behavior: Able to analyze and recommend treatment decisions to provide high value care.

 MKS - 1f

Demonstrate knowledge of epidemiology, biostatistics and the principles of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of disease to make medical decisions.

  • Does Not Meet: Unable to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of basic principles of epidemiology, statistics or prevention. 
  • Phase 1 Benchmark: Demonstrates sufficient knowledge of basic principles of epidemiology, statistics and prevention in the classroom setting.
  • Phase 2 Benchmark: Demonstrates sufficient knowledge of principles of epidemiology, statistics and prevention in the context of clinical care of patients. 
  • Phase 3 Benchmark: Demonstrates sufficient knowledge of principles of epidemiology, statistics and prevention in the context of clinical care of complex patients. 
  • Aspirational Behavior: Demonstrates exceptional knowledge base while teaching basic science principles related to epidemiology, statistics and prevention.

 MKS - 3a

Apply knowledge to diagnose illness and solve clinically relevant problems.

  • Does Not Meet: Unable to develop a differential diagnosis.
  • Phase 1 Benchmark: Generates and explains a differential diagnosis for common clinical problems.
  • Phase 2 Benchmark: Generates, explains and prioritizes a detailed differential diagnosis for common clinical problems and arrives at the most likely diagnosis.
  • Phase 3 Benchmark: Generates and prioritizes a detailed differential diagnosis for common and complex clinical problems and arrives at the most likely diagnosis.
  • Aspirational Behavior: In challenging situations, efficiently generates a detailed and prioritized differential for complex clinical cases and arrives at the most likely diagnosis using a high-value approach which mitigates diagnostic errors.

 MKS - 3b

Apply knowledge to prevent and treat illness and improve quality of life.

  • Does Not Meet: Unable to identify appropriate prevention and/or therapeutic options.
  • Phase 1 Benchmark: Able to identify at least one appropriate prevention/therapeutic modality for common conditions
  • Phase 2 Benchmark: Identifies appropriate prevention/therapeutic modalities for common conditions and can prioritize options
  • Phase 3 Benchmark: Identifies and prioritizes appropriate prevention/therapeutic options for complex conditions
  • Aspirational Behavior: Evaluates risks/benefits of prevention/therapeutic modalities for complex conditions that addresses quality of life issues and emphasizes high-value care.

 MKS - 4a

Demonstrate facility with research methods and complete a faculty-mentored scholarly project.

  • Does Not Meet: Unable to identify or complete a scholarly project.
  • Phase 1 Benchmark: Constructs a research question and methodology, works effectively with a mentor, and begins data collection that complies with security requirements.
  • Phase 2 Benchmark: Constructs a research question and methodology, works effectively with a mentor, and begins data collection that complies with security requirements.
  • Phase 3 Benchmark: Completes a faculty-mentored scholarly project and completes a thesis or manuscript.
  • Aspirational Behavior: Disseminates research at a regional or national level.

 MKS - 4b

Demonstrate teaching skills when facilitating learning via presentations, small-group learning activities and discussions with faculty and peers.

  • Does Not Meet: Is unprepared, poorly organized or does not attempt to engage the learner.
  • Phase 1 Benchmark: Conveys information in a conversational tone and connects with the audience (e.g., makes eye contact). Content is organized. Attempts to engage the learner.
  • Phase 2 Benchmark: Delivers content with some confidence. Content is organized. Utilizes specific techniques (e.g., stories, statistics, audience questions, etc.) to engage the learner.
  • Phase 3 Benchmark: Delivers content with confidence throughout the presentation. Responds to learners' needs and utilizes learner engagement techniques effectively (e.g., stories, statistics, audience questions, etc.). Learners' understanding is probed in some way.
  • Aspirational Behavior: Delivers content that is level appropriate and provokes inquiry. Adapts to learners' needs on the fly. Effectively engages learners and employs evidence-based learning strategies.

Learn More

Find all Feinberg Competency Standards, Anchors and Benchmarks.