Health Requirements
Applicants accepted for admission are required to submit medical history and physical examination information on a form that has been completed and signed by a licensed physician prior to matriculation. Also, they must have their own health insurance policy and provide evidence of such.
PCSOM, in conjunction with requirements of all hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare (JCAHO) and/or Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP), requires the following immunizations:
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annual TB test
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chest radiography (every three years, if the TB test is considered positive);
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Hepatitis B immunization (established by three reported dates of immunization or by documented testing of antibody titer);
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Tetanus toxoid immunization (every 10 years); and e. Rubella immunity (established by two reported dates if vaccination or documented antibody titer).
In order to assure our affiliated healthcare facilities that our students are appropriately immunized, the following PCSOM policy is in effect:
All TB tests must be effective and current on June 1 every year. A current, updated documentation of TB evaluation must be delivered to the Secretary for the Department of Family Medicine prior to that date. Failure to provide a current TB evaluation will prevent the student from participating in any clinical activities for the following year.
All students must provide evidence of Hepatitis B immunization by June 1. All Hepatitis B documentation must be completed on June 1 of the first-year rotation. This documentation must be delivered to the Secretary for the Department of Family Medicine. Failure to provide completed documentation will prevent the student from participating in any clinical rotations for the following year.
Evidence of an updated tetanus vaccination and rubella antibody is required prior to matriculation to PCSOM. This must be on file in the Office of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.
Technical Standards
Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine will attempt to develop creative ways of opening medical school admissions to disabled individuals. In doing so, however, the College must maintain curriculum requirements deemed essential to the education of an osteopathic physician.
It is the policy of the College that no student shall be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any program sponsored by the College because of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, color, creed, religion, handicap or national origin.
Regarding disabled (or handicapped) individuals, the College does not discriminate against such individuals who are otherwise qualified but does require applicants and students to meet certain minimal technical standards. These standards identify reasonable expectations of osteopathic medical students and physicians in performing common functions.
A candidate for the D.O. degree must have multiple abilities and skills including: observation; communication; motor; conceptual; integrative and quantitative; and behavioral and social. Accommodations can be made for various handicaps, but a candidate must be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.
Observation
The candidate must be able to acquire a level of required information as represented through demonstrations and experiences in the basic sciences. This includes but is not limited to information conveyed through physiologic and pharmacological demonstrations in animals, as well as microbiologic cultures and microscopic images of microorganisms and tissues in normal and pathologic states. Furthermore, a candidate must be able to: observe a patient accurately, at a distance and close at hand; acquire information from written documents; and see information presented in images on paper, film, slide or video. Observing and acquiring information from these sources usually requires functional visual, auditory and somatic sensation, enhanced by other sensory modalities.
When a candidate’s ability to observe or acquire information through these sensory modalities is compromised, the candidate must demonstrate alternative means and/or abilities to acquire and use the essential information. Obtaining and using such alternative means and/or abilities shall be the responsibility of the student. The College will reasonably assist the student where necessary.
Communication
The candidate must be able to communicate effectively, efficiently and sensitively with patients and their families and with all members of the health care team.
A candidate must be able to interpret X-ray and other graphic images and digital or analog representations of physiologic phenomenon (such as EKGs). Assistive devices may be used if necessary. Candidates should possess the motor skills necessary to directly perform palpation, percussion, auscultation and other diagnostic maneuvers, basic laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures.
Motor
Candidates and students should have sufficient motor functions to execute movements that are required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Examples include: cardiopulmonary resuscitation; administering intravenous medication; applying pressure to stop bleeding; opening of obstructed airways; suturing of simple wounds; and performing simple obstetrical maneuvers. Such actions require: coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements; equilibrium; and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.
Sensory
Osteopathic candidates need exceptional sensory skills, and it is therefore necessary to thoroughly evaluate individuals who are otherwise qualified but who have significant tactile sensory or proprioceptive disabilities. This would include individuals with significant previous burns, sensory motor deficits, cicatrix formation and many malformations of the upper extremities.
Strength and Mobility
Osteopathic treatment often requires upright posture with sufficient lower extremity and body strength. Therefore, individuals with significant limitations in these areas would be unlikely to successfully complete the requirements for a D.O. degree. Mobility required for emergency codes and CPR is also required.
Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities
The candidate must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize in a timely fashion. In addition, the candidate should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structure.
Behavioral and Social Attributes
Candidates must possess the emotional health required to fully use their intellectual abilities, to responsibly attend to the diagnosis and care of a patient and to develop mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients.
Candidates and students must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of patients.
Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the admissions and educational processes.
Academic Requirements
The minimum academic requirements for admission to the first-year class are:
- A baccalaureate degree, or completion of at least three-fourths (90 semester hours or 135 term credit hours) of the required credits for a baccalaureate degree, from a regionally accredited college or university. The baccalaureate degree is preferred and preference is given to those candidates who will have earned the degree prior to matriculation in the medical school program;
- The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Students must take the exam and have the official scores sent to PCSOM. MCAT test scores for an MCAT exam taken more than three years ago are not acceptable; and
- Satisfactory completion of the following college courses, including laboratory work:
These basic requirements must be passed and taken for credit at an accredited college or university.
The ability to use a personal or network computer is an important skill that will assist students with PCSOM course work. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that each entering student have a good working knowledge of common computer use and applications. PCSOM utilizes the latest in Microsoft Office® and Windows® applications.
147 Sycamore Street
Pikeville, Kentucky 41501
606.218.5250
1.866.BEARS.00
www.pc.edu