ICOM Student Technical Standards and Requirements

Purpose & Scope

The Technical Standards describe the non-academic abilities, skills, and attributes that all students must possess (with or without reasonable accommodations) to successfully complete ICOM’s DO curriculum and to practice osteopathic medicine with full practice rights.  

These standards apply to all applicants and matriculated students. By accepting an offer of admission, or by enrolling at ICOM, you affirm that you can meet these standards; you may be asked to reaffirm this during your training.  

ICOM is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) / ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) and to providing reasonable accommodations where possible — but accommodations must enable you to meet the same essential functions defined below, safely and independently.

For detailed policies, visit:

• ADA/Accommodations: ICOM Policies
• Academic Support: ICOM Academic Support

Notice: Applicants must meet ICOM’s technical standards to be eligible for admission. An offer of acceptance may be rescinded if these standards are not met. For matriculated students, inability to maintain compliance with technical standards may result in dismissal from the program. Students with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations as allowed by law.

Summary — What This Means for You

• ICOM trains competent physicians capable of providing full-scope osteopathic medical care.
• As part of training, students will participate in laboratory, clinical, and diagnostic experiences, which include physical exams, manipulative treatments, ultrasound, anatomy labs (including cadaver work), and patient care under variable settings.
• These experiences cannot be completed with intermediaries (e.g. interpreters or assistants acting in place of the student) because that would compromise independent judgment, observation, and performance.
• If you have a disability or impairment, you are encouraged to contact ICOM’s Office of Student Services before applying so any reasonable accommodations can be discussed.

Essential Abilities & Skills Required

All accepted students must be able to perform in five core domains required for safe and effective medical education and patient care:

1. Observation

You must be able to:

• Visually observe demonstrations in lectures, labs, and clinical settings (including microscopic tissue, diagnostic images, and live patient examinations). 
• Accurately perceive physical signs and symptoms of patients — via vision, somatic sensations (touch), and when relevant, smell — for diagnosis and monitoring. 
• Interpret visual and sensory information without reliance on a third party, as the use of intermediaries would compromise independent observation and judgment. 

2. Communication

You must be able to:

• Communicate effectively in English (spoken and written), since all instruction, assessments, and clinical work are conducted in English.
• Hear, speak, and process patient information during history-taking and physical exams, including non-verbal cues.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with patients, peers, and the entire health-care team (physicians, nurses, staff) both verbally and in writing.

3. Motor and Physical Function

You must have sufficient physical ability to:

• Perform diagnostic and examination procedures using palpation, percussion, auscultation, and other standard methods.
• Perform maneuvers required for osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), including positioning, palpation, applying and receiving manipulative forces, and generating adequate force when needed.
• Perform tasks required for general and emergency medical care: e.g. cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), management of an obstructed airway, hemorrhage control, suturing wounds, delivering babies, administering IV fluids or medications.
• Handle tactile work in labs, including gross anatomy (cadaver dissection) and ultrasound labs. Students must be able to tolerate and engage in disrobing or partial disrobing (shorts, lab clothes) of themselves and/or peers of all genders during anatomy or physical-exam practice. 

4. Intellectual / Conceptual / Integrative & Quantitative Abilities

You must be able to:

• Reason, analyze, calculate, measure, synthesize, and integrate information presented in a variety of formats (lectures, digital media, diagnostic images, lab data).
• Process complex medical information rapidly and accurately in both classroom and clinical settings.
• Maintain judgment and decision-making ability at a level consistent with safe and effective patient care. Chronic or recurrent conditions — including drug or alcohol use disorders — that impair judgment or function may disqualify a candidate. 

5. Behavioral, Emotional & Professional Attributes

You must:

• Demonstrate emotional stability, behavioral maturity, good judgment, ethical conduct, integrity, and responsibility.
• Be able to work as a member of a health-care team, interacting with patients, families, faculty, and staff in a professional manner.
• Maintain appropriate professional and legal standards throughout training and subsequent clinical work.

Expectations Regarding Clinical & Lab Work

As part of ICOM’s curriculum, students will participate in:

• Gross anatomy labs (cadaver dissections) — requiring tolerance for cadaver work.
• Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) labs — including palpation, manipulative techniques, and treating/being treated by peers of any gender. 
• Ultrasound labs — which may require partial disrobing of peers regardless of gender.
• Clinical rotations at various hospital, inpatient, ambulatory, and acute-care sites with varying demands, including emergency care settings and unpredictable hours.

Therefore, the ability to meet required sensory, motor, communication, cognitive, and professional functions independently is mandatory.

Applicant Declaration & Consequences

By submitting an application and/or matriculating at ICOM, applicants/students:

• Affirm that they meet these Technical Standards (with or without reasonable accommodations).
• Understand that any misrepresentation, omission, or inability to meet these standards may result in rescission of admission or dismissal.