2009-2010 KCUMB College Catalog - Kansas City University of ...

• Observation
Candidates and students must have sufficient vision to observe demonstrations,
experiments and laboratory exercises in the basic sciences. They must be able to
observe a patient accurately up close and at a distance.
• Communication
Candidates and students should be able to speak, to hear and to observe patients
in order to elicit information, examine patients, describe changes in mood,
activity and posture, and perceive nonverbal communications. They must be able
to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients. Communication
includes not only speech but also reading and writing. They also must be able to
communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written form with all members
of the health-care team.
• Motor Function
Candidates and students should have sufficient motor function to execute
movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment
to patients. Examples of emergency treatment reasonably required of physicians
are cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administration of intravenous medication, the
application of pressure to stop bleeding, the opening of obstructed airways, the
suturing of simple wounds and the performance of 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 Skills
Osteopathic candidates and students need enhanced ability in their sensory skills.
Individuals who are otherwise qualified and who may have significant tactile
sensory or proprioception disabilities may require a thorough evaluation. This
would include individuals with significant previous burns, sensory motor deficits,
cicatrix formation and many malformations of the upper extremities.
• Strength and Mobility
Osteopathic treatments often require upright posture with sufficient lower
extremity and body strength; therefore, individuals with significant limitations in
these areas would be unlikely to succeed. Mobility to attend to emergency codes
and to perform such maneuvers as CPR is required.
• Visual Integration
Candidates and students must have adequate visual capabilities for proper
evaluation and treatment integration to be able to assess asymmetry, range of
motion and tissue texture changes.
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