Mistreatment

REPORT A MISTREATMENT INCIDENT ONLINE THROUGH THE "ADVOCATE" SYSTEM

 

 

Student Mistreatment

All medical schools accredited by the LCME are mandated to define their code of conduct and develop effective policies to address mistreatment. The Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah is committed to the eradication of mistreatment of any individual whether faculty, staff, learner, or patient.

"A medical education program defines and publicizes its code of professional conduct for the relationships between medical students, including visiting medical students, and those individuals with whom students interact during the medical education program. A medical school develops effective written policies that address violations of the code, has effective mechanisms in place for a prompt response to any complaints and supports education activities aimed at preventing inappropriate behavior. Mechanisms for reporting violations of the code of professional conduct are understood by medical students including visiting medical students, and ensure that any violations can be registered and investigated without fear of retaliation." (LCME standard 3.6 - Student Mistreatment)

 

 

  • The AAMC Graduation Questionaire defines mistreatment as: 

    • Public humiliation
    • Threatened with physical harm
    • Physically harmed (e.g., hit, slapped, kicked
    • Required to perform personal services (e.g., shopping, babysitting)
    • Subjected to unwanted sexual advances
    • Asked to exchange sexual favors for grades or other rewards
    • Denied opportunities for training or rewards based on gender
    • Subjected to offensive sexist remarks/names
    • Received lower evaluations or grades solely because of race or ethnicity rather than performance
    • Denied opportunities for training or rewards based on sexual orientation
    • Subjected to offensive remarks/names related to sexual orientation
    • Received lower evaluations or grades solely because of sexual orientation rather than performance
    • Subjected to negative or offensive behavior(s) based on your personal beliefs or personal characteristics other than your gender, race/ethnicity, or sexual orientation

  • Discrimination is conduct of any nature that denies equal privileges or treatment to a particular individual because of the individual’s age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status.

  • By design, there are a multitude of options for reporting mistreatment. All of these methods are described below. Any of the options are valid. 

    Download a Flowchart of Who to Report to

  • The mistreatment reporting system has an option for anonymous reporting of mistreatment which is important for safety, thoroughness, and confidentiality.

    If you choose to submit an anonymous report, you should understand that the School of Medicine’s ability to respond to your allegations and conduct an investigation will be severely limited.

    All faculty and staff are mandatory reporters of any incidents of discrimination along protected categories (such as age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status) to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

    If you wish to speak with someone confidential about a mistreatment incident and your potential reporting options, please directly contact one of the following resources (all of whom are not under the obligation of mandatory reporters):

    • Medical Student Wellness Program (Medical Students) SOMWellness@hsc.utah.edu
    • Center for Student Wellness Victim-Survivor Advocates (801-581-7776)
    • University Counseling Center (801-581-6826)
    • Women’s Resource Center Counselors (801-581-8030)

If you are unsure if an action is considered mistreatment or discrimination contact Dr. Stevenson, Dr. Fix, or Dr. Baumann.

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK & REPORTS

  • CONTINUED ENROLLMENT IN THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

    As a condition of continued enrollment in the School of Medicine, students must notify the Associate Dean of Student Affairs of a guilty plea, a plea of no contest, or conviction of any charge other than a minor traffic violation that occurs between matriculation and graduation from medical school . A guilty plea, plea of no contest, or conviction of any charge other than a minor traffic violation that occurs between acceptance to medical school and the first day of orientation must be reported to the Assistant Dean for Admissions .

    Notification of the appropriate person must be made no later than five (5) calendar days after any guilty plea, plea of no contest, or conviction of any charge other than a minor traffic violation . Within thirty (30) calendar days of notification of a guilty plea, plea of no contest, or conviction of any charge other than a minor traffic violation, the School of Medicine will take appropriate action as described below .

    Enrolled students who enter a guilty plea, a plea of no contest, or a conviction of any charge other than a minor traffic violation must notify the Associate Dean of Student Affairs for informal resolution or for presentation to the Promotions Committee for academic misconduct. The Associate Dean and/or Promotions Committee will conduct such investigation as it deems necessary and appropriate in accordance with the usual standards of due process . Students presented to the Promotions Committee for a matter in which s/he entered a guilty plea, plea of no contest, or conviction may be dismissed from medical school .

    Students applying or accepted into medical school but not yet enrolled in medical school who enter a guilty plea, a plea of no contest, or a conviction for any matter other than a minor traffic violation must notify the Assistant Dean of Admissions for informal resolution or for presentation to the Admissions Executive Committee. The Assistant Dean of Admissions and/or Admissions Executive Committee will conduct such investigation as it deems necessary and appropriate in accordance with the usual standards of due process .

    Students who have been accepted but not yet enrolled in medical school presented to the Admissions Executive Committee for a matter in which s/he entered a guilty plea, plea of no contest, or conviction may have their offer of acceptance withdrawn . Medical school applicants presented to the Admissions Executive Committee for a matter in which s/he entered a guilty plea, plea of no contest or conviction may not be considered further in the application process .

    ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT AND/OR PROFESSIONAL OR ETHICAL VIOLATIONS

    In the School of Medicine, academic dishonesty is considered both academic misconduct and a violation of professional and ethical standards . This means that a student may, for example, receive a failing grade in a course if the faculty member determines that s/he cheated . Students accused of academic misconduct and professional or ethical violations will be referred to the Office of Student Affairs . The Associate Dean of Student Affairs will refer the matter to the Promotions Committee for action, which may result in the student’s dismissal from medical school .

    BEHAVIORAL MISCONDUCT

    Allegations of student behavioral misconduct are referred to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, who will determine if the behavioral misconduct violates the Medical Student Code of Ethics and therefore is more appropriately treated as academic misconduct . If it is determined that the offense should be treated under student behavior misconduct proceedings, the student shall be notified by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs . Student behavioral misconduct proceedings are outlined in the University of Utah Student Code Section III.

    STUDENT’S RIGHTS REGARDING MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS

    Students accused of academic misconduct, including violations of professional or ethical standards, or behavioral misconduct have the following rights:

    Students with complaints, inquiries, or requests to review official records should address them to the Office of Student Affairs . Access to the student’s official file in the Office of Student Affairs is subject to the following limitations:

    • Reasonable and nondiscriminatory rules and regulations may be made as to time, place, and supervision
    • Restrictions may be imposed with respect to materials furnished by others to which the student has waived rights of access (such as letters of reference and recommendations)
    • The right to remain in scheduled courses until the decision of the appropriate person or committee, unless extraordinary circumstances exist . A student who exhibits behavior unsuitable for the practice of medicine or who poses a direct threat may be removed from courses before the decision by the appropriate person or committee . Following a sanction of dismissal, the student will not be allowed to continue in any curricular activities while appealing, including class activities course work and clinical courses and rotations
    • The right to information regarding the decision of the appropriate person or committee
    • The right to appeal academic sanctions as outlined in the applicable sections of the University of Utah Student Code

     

    “School of Medicine Student Handbook - Last Updated: July 5, 2022.” School of Medicine | University of Utah Health, 5 July 2022, https://medicine.utah.edu/documents/school-of-medicine-student-handbook-last-updated-july-5-2022. 

  • Students at SFESOM understand it is a great privilege to study medicine. Over the course of their training, they will assume extraordinary responsibility for the health and well-being of others. This undertaking requires that they will uphold the highest standards of ethical and compassionate behavior. Accordingly, every student will adopt the following professionalism behaviors to guide them throughout their academic, clinical, and research work. Students will strive to uphold both the spirit and the letter of these professionalism commitments in their years at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine and throughout their medical career.

    RESPECT FOR OTHERS:
    • Students will demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to all patient populations and not tolerate discrimination on the basis of color, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, veteran’s status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, socioeconomic status, or health status.
    • Students will demonstrate an unselfish regard, compassion, and devotion to caring for the physical and emotional wellness of others and self.
    • Students will uphold a classroom atmosphere conducive to learning Students will interact with instructors and peers in a considerate and cooperative manner Students will treat patients and their families with respect and dignity both in their presence and in discussions with other members of the health care team.
    • Students will interact with patients in a way that ensures their privacy and respects their modesty.
    • Students will interact with all members of the health care team in a considerate and cooperative manner students will judge their colleagues fairly and attempt to resolve conflicts in a manner that respects the dignity of every person involved.
    INTEGRITY:
    • Students will uphold integrity in all academic and scholarly activities
    • Students will practice proper conflict of interest disclosure and uphold appropriate relationship boundaries
    • Students will recognize errors and impairments in peers and report these to appropriate entities
    • Students will maintain the highest standards of academic honesty
    • Students will neither give nor receive aid in examinations or assignments unless such cooperation is expressly permitted by the instructor
    • Students will truthfully represent themselves as a medical student at all times to patients and healthcare providers
    • Students will be truthful with patients and will report accurately all historical and physical findings, test results, and other information pertinent to the care of the patient
    • Students will conduct research in an unbiased manner, report results truthfully, and appropriately credit ideas developed and work done by others
    • Students will regard patient privacy and autonomy as a central obligation of patient care
    • Students will limit discussions of patients to members of the health care team in settings removed from the public ear (e.g not in elevators, hallways, cafeterias, etc)
    • Students will not divulge patient information or breech patient confidentiality in any venue, including social media
    • Students will not use their professional position to engage in romantic or sexual relationships with patients or members of their patients’ families
    RELIABILITY:
    • Students will hold themselves accountable for fulfilling responsibilities, expectations, and obligations as a learner and colleague while maintaining effective time management
    • Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate in a clear and forthright manner with peers, faculty, staff, patients, and their families
    • Students will conduct themselves professionally in their demeanor, use of language, and appearance, in the presence of patients, in the classroom, and in health care settings
    • Students will recognize their own limitations and seek help when their level of experience is inadequate to handle a situation on their own
    • Students will demonstrate a commitment to ethical principles pertaining to provision or withholding of care, confidentiality, informed consent, and business practices, including compliance with relevant laws, policies, and/or regulations
    • Students will not use alcohol or drugs in any way that could interfere with their clinical responsibilities
    DRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE:
    • Students will demonstrate self-awareness of performance and subsequent areas of opportunity and a dedication to excellence by continual improvement of knowledge, skills, and attitudes
    • Students will willingly acknowledge weaknesses, errors, and awareness of one’s own perspectives/biases and integrate constructive feedback to improve
    • Students will effectively balance obligations to others with obligations to self and personal well-being as well as an understanding of when it is necessary to ask for help in either academics or other obligations
    • Students will set patient care as the highest priority in the clinical setting

    “School of Medicine Student Handbook - Last Updated: July 5, 2022.” School of Medicine | University of Utah Health, 5 July 2022, https://medicine.utah.edu/documents/school-of-medicine-student-handbook-last-updated-july-5-2022.