Technical Standards

14480.1 Policy Statement

The Boonshoft School of Medicine (BSOM) is committed to providing equitable access to medical education and maintaining an educational environment in which all qualified individuals are able to participate fully in the MD program.

BSOM recognizes candidates for admission, retention, and graduation (Candidates) may have disabilities that affect how they access, engage with, or demonstrate required competencies. Candidates are encouraged to disclose disability-related needs and to engage in an individualized process to determine reasonable accommodations. 

The Technical Standards (Standards) described below identify the essential competencies required for admission, retention, and graduation. The Standards are designed to be met with or without reasonable accommodation, in accordance with applicable law.

14480.2 Purpose and Legal Compliance

The BSOM Standards describe the essential academic and non-academic competencies required for admissions to, progression through, and graduation from the MD program.

These Standards are established in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, applicable state and federal law, and accreditation requirements of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).

The Standards are intended to ensure Candidates can meet the educational and professional requirements of the program while maintaining patient safety and academic integrity. They are not intended to exclude qualified individuals for whom reasonable accommodations enable access to and participation in the curriculum. Satisfaction of these BSOM Standards does not guarantee a Candidate will meet the technical requirements of any particular residency program or licensing authority.

BSOM acknowledges the essential competencies may be achieved through various means, including the use of reasonable accommodations auxiliary aids, assistive technologies, or adaptive strategies.

14480.3 Guiding Principles

1. Functional and Competency-Based Evaluation: The Standards are grounded in a functional, competency-based approach. Candidates are evaluated based on their ability to demonstrate required competencies, rather than on the manner in which tasks are performed. Candidates are not required to demonstrate competencies using a specific physical, sensory, cognitive, or communication modality, provided essential competencies can be met effectively. Alternative methods may include, but are not limited to, assistive technologies, adaptive equipment, modified task sequencing, or alternative communication modalities.
2. Individualized, Interactive Process: BSOM engages in an individualized, interactive process with qualified Candidates with disabilities to determine reasonable accommodations. This process is collaborative and involves the Candidate, the Wright State University (WSU) Office of Disability Services (ODS), and relevant stakeholders, as appropriate. Accommodation determinations are made on a case-by-case basis and are informed by the essential competencies of the MD program and the individual's functional limitations. Decisions regarding accommodations are communicated in writing and include information regarding implementation and duration. Students may request reconsideration or appeal through established WSU procedures.
3. Patient Safety and Academic Standards: BSOM has an obligation to uphold patient safety and academic standards. These considerations are evaluated based on a Candidate's demonstrated performance with approved reasonable accommodations in place, rather than on diagnosis, disability category, or perceived limitations. Determinations related to safety and academic performance are evidence-based and grounded in observed competence within the educational setting. 

14480.4 Technical Standards - Essential Competencies

The following standards describe essential competencies required of all Candidates. These competencies may be met with or without reasonable accommodation:

A. Observation and Information Acquisition

• Accurately acquire information from demonstrations, experiments, lectures, written materials, digital media, simulation, electronic health records, images, and patient encounters.
• Observe patients, laboratory specimens, diagnostic images, physiological monitoring, and procedures.
• Interpret non-verbal communications and behavioral cues.
• If a sensory modality is impaired, the Candidate must demonstrate alternative means to obtain and interpret essential information required for safe, effective care.
• Information acquisition may occur through direct or mediated means, including the use of assistive technologies or adaptive equipment.

B. Communication

• Communicate effectively and sensitively with peers, staff, faculty, patients, families, and members of the health care team in oral and written forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Clear communication in the learning management system and email;
  • Engagement in classroom activities;
  • Clear, timely documentation in electronic health records;
  • Effective use of synchronous and asynchronous digital communication tools;
  • Participation in telehealth visits; and
  • Concise communication in clinical and educational settings.
• Demonstrate the ability to deliver and receive complex information in English (oral and written).
• When alternative communication methods are used, they must permit effective, accurate, and rapid exchange of clinical information.
• Communication may be accomplished through spoken, signed, written, electronic, or other effective means, with or without reasonable accommodation. Evaluation is based on effectiveness, clarity, and professionalism of communication rather than the mode of communication used.

C. Motor and Physical Abilities

• Perform physical examinations, procedural skills, and emergency interventions necessary for clinical care in a timely and safe manner. This includes the capacity to carry out fine motor skills, positioning, and manual procedures common to the curriculum and clinical practice.
• Respond appropriately to urgent or emergent patient needs, including time-sensitive interventions.
• If limitations in motor or physical function are present, the Candidate must be able to demonstrate the ability to perform required clinical and procedural tasks through reasonable alternative methods or assistive technologies that allow timely, safe, and effective patient care, without compromising safety or essential educational outcomes.

D. Cognitive and Intellectual Abilities

• Acquire, integrate, analyze, and synthesize information across modalities (text, digital media, images, simulation) to formulate diagnoses and management plans.
• Demonstrate critical thinking, problem solving, quantitative reasoning, memory, and the ability to learn across varied instructional modalities.
• If a cognitive or learning-related disability is present, the Candidate must be able to demonstrate the ability to acquire, integrate, analyze, and synthesize medical knowledge through reasonable alternative strategies or accommodations that preserve the essential cognitive demands of the curriculum and clinical decision-making.
• These abilities may be supported through reasonable accommodations that facilitate access to information and demonstration of competence while maintaining academic standards.

E. Behavioral and Professional Attributes

• Demonstrate maturity, integrity, ethical behavior, accountability, and the ability to work cooperatively within a team.
• Meet professional responsibilities in fluctuating, stressful, and demanding clinical environments while prioritizing patient safety and confidentiality. 
• If a condition affects behavioral or interpersonal functioning, the Candidate must be able to demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodation, the professional judgement, emotional regulation, adaptability, and interpersonal skills required to function effectively in academic and clinical environments and to ensure patient safety and team collaboration.
• Disability-related conditions, including psychological or chronic health conditions, do not preclude meeting this Standard when appropriate supports and accommodations are in place.

14480.5 Technology & Digital Competence

Modern medical education and assessment at BSOM are delivered primarily through digital means. The ability to interact effectively and securely with technology is an essential requirement of the curriculum.

1. Required Digital Interaction: Candidates must be able to use and interact with digital media and technology integral to the curriculum and assessment, including but not limited to:
   • Learning management systems (LMS) and courseware (asynchronous modules, quizzes, discussion boards);
   • Online synchronous learning platforms (web conferencing, teleconferencing);
   • Online testing and assessment platforms (timed computer-based exams and secure proctoring systems);
   • Online certification and training platforms (e.g., CITI training, ACLS/BLS); and
   • Electronic health records, digital imaging systems, simulation software, and other clinical informatics tools.
2. No Paper-Only Option: Because the curriculum, learning activities, course materials, and assessments are delivered and managed digitally, BSOM cannot administer the curriculum in a paper-only format. Reasonable accommodations may modify how a Candidate accesses or interacts with digital content (for example: screen readers, extended time, speech-to-text, alternative input devices), but accommodations cannot require the school to convert the curriculum to an entirely different delivery medium (e.g., all-paper administration).
3. Assistive Technology Expectations: Candidates who require assistive technology (hardware, software, or adaptive devices) to meet digital interaction requirements are expected to identify and, where appropriate, procure or arrange for that technology in coordination with ODS. BSOM will work with candidates to provide institutionally available accommodations and identify viable solutions.

14480.6 Assessment of Ability to Meet Standards; Requesting Accommodations

1. Disclosure: Candidates are encouraged to disclose disability-related needs early to enable timely evaluation and implementation of reasonable accommodations. Disclosure is not required as a condition of application but is necessary before accommodations can be considered; accommodations are not applied retroactively. Candidates with disabilities should contact WSU ODS for questions and to request accommodations.
2. Documentation: ODS will advise on documentation requirement. Requests should include current, relevant documentation from qualified professionals describing diagnosis, functional limitations, and recommended accommodations.
3. Review Process: The determination of reasonable accommodations is made by WSU through ODS in collaboration with program faculty and clinical partners and other necessary parties. The interactive process will consider patient safety, essential curricular elements, and whether the accommodation fundamentally alters program requirements or poses an undue burden. If the requested accommodation is denied, the Candidate will receive a written explanation and an opportunity to propose alternatives.

Candidates should be aware the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) is the sole authority for granting accommodations for the United States Medical Licensing Examinations. The provision of special considerations or accommodations by a medical school does not ensure NBME will provide any similar accommodations for the United States Medical Licensing Examinations.

14480.7 Clinical and Off-Site Educational Activities

Some mandatory certifications and clinical experiences occur at external partner sites that may have discrete policies or limitations. Candidates are responsible for complying with the technical and safety requirements of clinical partners and certifying agencies. BSOM will engage with clinical sites when reasonable accommodations are required, but placement at sites that cannot reasonably accommodate essential activities may affect assignment.

14480.8 Fitness for Duty, Safety, and Professionalism

If concerns arise about a Candidate's ability to safely perform essential functions, BSOM may require an assessment (medical, psychiatric, or functional), temporary restriction, or modification of activities pending evaluation. Such actions will follow BSOM policies and prioritize patient safety and educational integrity.

14480.9 Affirmation of Ability

Candidates will be required to affirm they understand these Standards and can meet them with or without reasonable accommodation once accepted to the MD program and annually thereafter. Candidates must notify ODS of any change in functional status that could affect their ability to meet the Standards. When a Candidate is determined to be unable to meet the Standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, they will be referred to the Student Promotion Committee, in accordance with the BSOM Advancement and Graduation Policy.

14480.10 Periodic Review

The Standards will be reviewed periodically to ensure alignment with current medical education practices, accreditation requirements, legal guidance, and advances in technology and accessibility.

BSOM is committed to ongoing evaluation of its policies to ensure equitable access to the medical education program.

Resources

LCME

Office of Disability Services (ODS)

Policy No. 14420 - Advancement and Graduation (BSOM)

Student Promotion Committee