School Of Medicine Supplemental Application Technical Standards for Admission Applicants to the University of Virginia School of Medicine are considered for admission without regard to disability but with the expectation that all parts of the curriculum can be completed. Because the M.D. degree signifies that the holder is a physician prepared for entry into the practice of medicine within postgraduate training programs, graduates must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care. While technological compensation can be made for deficiencies in certain areas, candidates for the M.D. degree should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner in the following areas and with the indicated abilities and skills. The candidate must be able to observe demonstrations and experiments in the basic sciences including but not limited to physiologic and pharmacologic demonstrations in animals, microbiologic cultures, and microscopic studies of microorganisms and tissues in normal and pathologic states. A candidate must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand.
Observation necessitates the functional use of the senses of vision and somatic sensation.
It is enhanced by the functional use of the sense of smell. A candidate should be able to speak, to hear, and to observe patients in order to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and perceive nonverbal communications. A candidate must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients. Communication includes not only speech but reading and writing. The candidate must be able to communicate effectively and in oral and written form with all members of the health care team.