Core Knowledge & Elements of Osteopathic Principles in the Disciplines of Foundational Biomedical Sciences
Content Outline and Assessment Objectives
The FBS Comprehensive examination may be used for end-of-course assessment for students enrolled at a college of osteopathic medicine (COM). Individual COMs may also administer the examination at other times in accordance with their curriculum goals and mission. This examination emphasizes core knowledge and elements of osteopathic principles and practice in the foundational biomedical sciences disciplines that are essential for the pre-doctoral osteopathic medical student.
The exam blueprint below contains the FBS topics covered in two dimensions: Dimension 1 – Body Systems and Dimension 2 – Disciplines.
Dimension 1: Body Systems
Topic
%
Human Development, Reproduction, and Sexuality
5-10%
Endocrine System and Metabolism
5-10%
Nervous System and Mental Health
10-15%
Musculoskeletal System
8-12%
Genitourinary/Renal System
6-12%
Gastrointestinal (GI) System and Nutritional Health
8-12%
Cardiovascular and Hematologic Systems
10-15%
Respiratory System
9-14%
Integumentary System
3-6%
Foundational Biomedical Principles
12-17%
Dimension 2: Disciplines
Topic
%
Molecular, Biochemical, Tissue, and Cellular Basis of Health and Disease, including Medical Genetics
12-20%
Foundational Anatomical Sciences
12-20%
Microbiology and Immunology
12-20%
Physiologic Basis of Health and Disease
12-20%
Pharmacologic Principles and Concepts
12-20%
Foundational Neurosciences
12-20%
General Learner-Centered Objectives
Based on the general learner-centered objectives outlined in the FBS examination blueprint, the examinee will be required to demonstrate the ability to apply:
Foundational content knowledge to situations and patient presentations encountered in clinical settings and important to foundational biomedical science disciplines.
Foundational content knowledge and clinical problem-solving ability related to physician tasks critical to medical practice.
Knowledge and clinical problem-solving as related to the application of knowledge for medical practice in the Fundamental Osteopathic Medical Competency Domains.
Selected Specific Learning Elements
Biochemistry
Apply knowledge of the structure and characteristics of biological molecules to predict normal and pathological function.
Describe the structure and function of cellular components related to biochemical function.
Apply knowledge of cellular responses to injury, and the underlying etiology, biochemical and molecular alterations, to assess therapeutic interventions.
Explain how the regulation of major metabolic pathways and the synthesis/degradation of macromolecules function to maintain health. Identify major forms of dysregulation in disease.
Describe and apply principles of bioenergetics and energy metabolism.
Describe digestion, absorption, transport, and metabolism of nutrients in health and disease states.
Describe measures of the application of principles to populations and individuals including prevalence, incidence, sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, and confidence intervals.
Identify genetic disorders, genetic risk, principles of inheritance, occurrence, and explain mechanisms of testing, therapy, and counseling.
Identify gene function: structure, replication, transcription, translation, exchange, and the functional and/or morphologic expression of the genetic condition.
Describe cell signaling including receptors, ligands, and signaling cascades and their effects on cells.
Describe the normal function of blood cells and other blood components as well as various hematological disorders, including anemias, coagulopathies, and jaundice.
Anatomy
Distinguish between the normal and abnormal development at the level of the cell, tissue, organ, system, and organism.
Identify anatomical processes as they relate to sex and reproduction.
Identify microscopic and gross anatomical structures, functions, and their interrelationships in health and disease based on assessments, including imaging and examination.
Recognize the clinical significance of the structural and functional neuroanatomy of the peripheral nervous system, including motor, sensory, sympathetic, and parasympathetic systems.
Recognize the clinical significance of the organization of blood supply, venous drainage, and lymphatic systems as they relate to the constituents of each anatomical compartment or cavity.
Microbiology
Understand the key elements of the innate and adaptive immune responses.
Understand the principles of immunodiagnostic assays and immunotherapies.
Identify the process leading to the activation of the immune system and its effector mechanisms.
Understand the immune responses to control infectious agents; the development of immunologically mediated diseases; and the immune response to transplants and cancer.
Specify the mechanisms of action of physical and chemical methods used to control microbial growth.
Recognize the methodology used for the isolation and identification of microbial pathogens.
Understand the following aspects of diseases caused by microbial pathogens:
Epidemiology and mode of transmission
Unique structural and life cycle characteristics of each pathogen
Mechanisms of pathogenesis
Primary disease manifestations
Diagnostic methodology
Mechanism of treatment and prevention
Physiology
Explain the physiological basis of cell excitability, general principles of synaptic transmission, and mechanisms underlying the neuromuscular junction.
Explain mechanisms of muscle contraction, excitation-contraction coupling, and distinguishing characteristics of smooth, cardiac, and skeletal muscle function.
Explain the normal function and regulation of the following systems: cardiovascular, pulmonary, endocrine, renal, gastrointestinal, and reproductive.
Describe physiological responses to acid-base disturbances.
Explain the integrative physiological mechanisms involved in the regulation of extracellular fluid volume and composition.
Explain the compensatory responses to physiological stressors.
Explain reflex control mechanisms including humoral and neural feedback and feedforward mechanisms underlying homeostasis and their alterations in disease.
Pharmacology
Apply knowledge of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic concepts to ensure safe and effective drug prescribing with consideration of human health and disease.
Describe mechanisms of action, target organ responses, and homeostatic responses to drugs.
Identify indications and contraindications of pharmacotherapy, and monitor response for efficacy and adverse outcomes.
Determine optimal drug therapy based on an understanding of relevant medical literature, pertinent research, regulatory processes, and pharmacoeconomics.
Apply knowledge of individual variability to select therapeutic regimens and monitor response for efficacy and adverse outcomes.
Neuroscience
Apply principles of neuroanatomy at the cellular and organ level to evaluate normal and pathologic presentations:
Identify neuroanatomical structures in normal and abnormal conditions.
Utilize neurological exam findings to localize lesions.
Locate and describe the various neurotransmitter systems.
Use various imaging modalities to identify major anatomical landmarks.
Describe the structural and functional neuroanatomy of the spinal cord, brain, brainstem, and cerebral cortex in normal and pathological states.
Relate disruptions in blood supply to clinical presentations.
Apply principles of the neuroanatomic sciences at the cellular, tissue, and organ level to evaluate pathologic presentations.
Identify gross structures in abnormal conditions.
Apply neurological examination principles to the pathologic condition.
Describe imaging and specimen assessment of gross structures.
Relate anatomical changes to clinical presentation.
Apply osteopathic principles and practice to the evaluation of neural dysfunction.
Selected Student and Faculty Learning Resources
In addition to the aforementioned objectives, examples of supplementary resources used by the NBOME to inform the development of the FBS exams are listed below.
Anatomy
Title
Author/Editor
Edition
Year
Atlas of Anatomy
Gilroy, MacPherson, & Ross
1st
2008
Atlas of Human Anatomy
Netter
5th
2011
Clinical Anatomy by Regions
Snell
9th
2012
Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation
Frontera, Silver, & Rizzo
3rd
2015
Gray's Anatomy for Students
Drake, Vogl, & Mitchell
2nd
2012
Gray's Anatomy: the Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice
