PURPOSE – CFMP1 is the clinical sciences and patient care portion of the Year 1 curriculum.  It is a course comprised of related components needed to build a knowledge base to successfully provide competent patient care in the context of a professional doctor-patient relationship.  The components are designed to teach basic skills and introduce concepts and attitudes that are the foundation of integrating the science with the art of caring for patients.

GOALS – At the end of this year of instruction, students will:

1. Understand the function, structure, and process of the patient centered interview.
   
2. Learn the basic skills, instruments, and concepts of the normal physical exam.
   
3. Begin to understand and cope with the issues of the death, dying, grieving, and loss process.
   
4. Understand the basics of sexual health and their importance in complete health and wellness.
   
5. Begin the process of understanding themselves – how their own background, culture, biases, ethical makeup, beliefs, and attitudes affect the doctor-patient relationship.
   
6. Understand and appreciate the contribution of nutrition to optimal health and wellness throughout the lifecycle.
   
7. Have the opportunity to observe a practicing physician and practice the basic skills, concepts, and attitudes taught in the CFMP1 components.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES – At the end of the first year of medical school, the student will be able to:

Knowledge

1. Summarize and give examples of bioethical considerations related to being a physician-in-training (e.g., working with cadavers, patient consent, patient confidentiality).
   
2. List the stages of the grieving process.
   
3. Describe the various elements and aspects of the doctor-patient relationship and be able to illustrate how they might benefit or hamper patient compliance and patient health outcomes.
   
4. List the basic nutritional needs for optimal health.
   
5. Articulate how patient gender, sexual orientation, cultural, religious, and lifestyle differences may affect important health care and end-of-life decisions.
   
6. Describe normal sexual functioning and debunk common sexual misconceptions.
   
7. Describe the important components of a patient interview and physical examination.
   
8. Describe coping mechanisms for physicians who deal with complex and serious health problems of patients.

Attitudes

1. Express and provide examples of how their own values, beliefs, background, culture, and personal biases may affect the doctor-patient relationship, as well as their delivery of care.
   
2. Describe what constitutes professional behavior for a physician-in-training.
   
3. Appreciate the doctor-patient relationship as the cornerstone of patient care.

Skills and Behaviors

1. Demonstrate basic skills of performing a physical exam on a normal patient, targeting key organs or organ systems.
   
2. Demonstrate preliminary skills of conducting a patient-centered health history interview, which includes questions about sexual health and nutritional habits in a sensitive, culturally competent, and professional manner.
   
3. Demonstrate appropriate participation in small group and self-directed learning activities.