Professionalism for Students

Provide expectations for student physician professionalism.

DEFINITIONS:

• PAR Committee: Professionalism and Academic Review Committee

POLICY:

Professionalism is a core academic competency that is continually taught and assessed throughout the undergraduate medical education. Undergraduate medical student physicians, as junior colleagues and members of the medical profession, are expected to adhere to the same professional standards as medical professionals and are held accountable for their behavior and conduct. The objective of this policy is to set the expectation of professional behavior.

All ICOM employees are role models of professionalism for ICOM student physicians. Each has the responsibility of identifying both outstanding and deficient professionalism displayed by ICOM student physicians.

Teachable Moments: If an incident observed seems to be a momentary lapse in judgment or unintended word or action by the student physician, it is typically considered to be a “teachable moment.” Teachable moments may be handled by any ICOM employee, with or without consultation with the Chairs of the PAR Committee.  Record of the details and conversation with the student physician should be submitted to the Chairs of the PAR Committee and will be stored confidentially. Should further incidents occur, the history of professionalism concerns may be considered if the student physician is remanded to the PAR Committee. 

Circumstances that Require a PAR Committee Appearance: If the incident observed is harmful to others, is repetitive, damages property, or is in some other way egregious, then it must be reported. The Professional Formation Observation Form is to be completed by the ICOM employee or another student physician and submitted to the Chairs of the PAR Committee. Throughout the reporting, investigation, and adjudication process by the PAR Committee, confidentiality of the student physician’s circumstance must be maintained to the greatest extent possible.

Professionalism Rubric: When adjudicating a professionalism concern, the PAR Committee utilizes a rubric that promotes objectivity and limits bias, while allowing for flexibility. The rubric applies to unprofessional behaviors that adhere to the severe and pervasive standard and are informed by consideration of the following guiding principles: 

• Magnitude of impact to self, others, to ICOM, and to the community 
• Pervasiveness of the misconduct (i.e., prevalent engagement in offensive, unwelcome behavior that escalates to hostility and/or intimidation) 
• Repetitiveness of the misconduct (i.e., repeated behavior) 
• Criminality (civil vs. criminal) 

Examples of Violations of Professional Standards 

Minor infraction- academic or professional misconduct that is minor in nature, or unintentional, with minimal impact to self, others, or community; and is a first-time offense. Many minor offenses of unprofessionalism result from misunderstanding or a lack of familiarity with expected standards. Examples of minor offenses include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Using language in email, assignment, or other communication that may be perceived as overly casual, inappropriate, or disrespectful 
• Receiving or responding to feedback inappropriately 
• Presenting an appearance that does not follow the ICOM Dress Code (Student Catalog pg 152)
• Untimely response to emails and/or form requests 

Moderate infraction- academic or professional misconduct that is moderate in nature, with overtly negative impact to others, or the community; or is a minor infraction that is pervasive or repetitive in nature. Moderate infractions are generally intentional, but do not rise to criminality. Examples of moderate offenses include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Pattern of using disrespectful communication 
• Inappropriate or offensive communication, whether verbal, written, or on social media 
• Uncooperative behavior or refusal to comply with known and expected standards 
• Pattern of disruptive behaviors (e.g., tardiness, absenteeism, interruptions, etc.) 

Major infraction- academic or professional misconduct that is serious in nature, with significant impact to others or the community; or is a minor/moderate infraction that is pervasive or repetitive in nature. Major infractions are often intentional and may rise to criminality (e.g., misdemeanor). Examples of major offenses include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lying or misrepresenting himself/herself, including plagiarism, cheating, or falsifying information 
• Engagement in inappropriate behavior that is known to be unwelcome 
• Exhibiting uncontrolled anger or hostility toward others 
• Intimidation of peers by pervasive behavior that is unwelcome 
• Pre-meditated cheating or plagiarism 
• Theft or intentional damage to property 

Critical infraction- academic or professional misconduct that has significant and direct harmful consequences to others and/or community; or is an egregious breach of recognized standards; or is a major infraction that is pervasive or repetitive in nature; or is criminal in nature. Examples of critical offenses include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Physical or sexual assault 
• Sexual inappropriateness with a patient 
• Felony conviction 
• Unauthorized release of confidential information 
• Unauthorized release of cadaveric images or content 
• Retaliation of any kind