The Tulane Medical Community believes that a profession gains its credibility by its commitment to society. As a professional group, we recognize our multiple responsibilities to our patients, colleagues, communities, families and ourselves. Realizing that it is a privilege and an honor to be a medical professional, we hold the following ideals:
- Patient welfare is our primary concern, for only by this commitment do we justify the trust placed in us by patients and the community at large.
- Relationships with our colleagues, faculty and staff are an essential part of professional conduct.
- Integrating personal growth into our professional development is essential to our commitment to medicine.
- As medical professionals, we shall strive to be responsible citizens. The School of Medicine, the Honor Board and the Committee on Student Affairs strive to instill and uphold the values and ideas set forth in this policy. Definition: Unprofessional behavior is defined as behavior that violates these ideals. These behaviors include, but are not limited to, acting improperly towards patients, supervisors and/or peers; disrespect for faculty, patients, supervisors and/or peers; dishonest, unethical and/or illegal behavior; failure to meet clinical responsibilities; and failure to correct deficiencies in academic performance in a responsible and timely fashion. Procedure: Unprofessional behavior will not be tolerated. This procedure outlines how unprofessional behavior will be addressed in the School of Medicine. Initially, perceived breaches of this code should be discussed privately among the parties. If private resolution is not possible, the following steps will occur:
Any breach that falls under the purview of the Honor Board should be referred to the Honor Board directly. This procedure is outlined in the April 1999 revision of the Honor Code, available of the Student Affairs website. Such breaches include cheating, stealing, impairing another student's ability to learn, or acting in a deceitful manner.
Procedure: Unprofessional behavior will not be tolerated. This procedure outlines how unprofessional behavior will be addressed in the School of Medicine. Initially, perceived breaches of this code should be discussed privately among the parties. If private resolution is not possible, the following steps will occur:
1. Any breach that falls under the purview of the Honor Board should be referred to the Honor Board directly. This procedure is outlined in the April 1999 revision of the Honor Code, available of the Student Affairs website. Such breaches include cheating, stealing, impairing another student's ability to learn, or acting in a deceitful manner.
2.Breaches in behavior falling outside of those considered by the Honor Board should be referred to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. The Associate Dean for Student Affairs will investigate the complaint by speaking directly with the parties involved and reviewing evidence. The Associate Dean will also notify the student(s) in writing describing the unprofessional conduct allegations. Students have the right to provide evidence on their behalf and/or witnesses for review by the Associate Dean.
3. If the Associate Dean believes there is a breach of professional behavior, verbal feedback will be provided to the student or students involved. The extent and gravity of the student's unprofessional behavior and potential actions that could be taken will be reviewed. The Associate Dean will document the potential breach in professional activity, as well as the result of the subsequent conversation. This documentation will be kept on record with the Associate Dean, but will not be made part of the student's file.
4. If the problem recurs, the issue will be brought to the Committee on Student Affairs for discussion. The student (s) involved will be notified in writing via return receipt mail and intradepartmental mail within two weeks of the Committee on Student Affairs meeting. They will be advised of the nature of the complaint, the date, time and location of the committee meeting, and be provided with a copy of this procedure. Students will be allowed to provide evidence and/or witnesses on their behalf at the meeting. If a breach is confirmed, a written statement will be placed in the student's file for possible inclusion in the Medical Student Performance Evaluation. Recommendations made by the Committee on Student Affairs require a majority of those voting members present.
5. As a last resort, with repetitive behavior that is deemed severe, the matter will be brought before the Committee on Student Affairs. The same procedure of notification and procedure will be followed as listed above. The Committee will make recommendations to the Executive Faculty for action including, but not limited to dismissal or restriction of privileges. The student has the right to appear in person before the Executive Faculty. When appearing before the Executive Faculty, a legal representative may be present but may not participate.
6. When the Committee on Student Affairs is involved, the student will be allowed to appear before the committee and provide evidence and/or witnesses on their behalf. When appearing before the Committee on Student Affairs, a legal representative may be present but may not participate.
7. Appeals to decisions made by the Executive Faculty should be addressed in writing directly to the Dean of the School of Medicine.
The Associate Dean for Student Affairs may make exceptions to this procedure based on the severity of the unprofessional activity. That is, The Associate Dean has the option to refer matters directly to the Committee on Student Affairs in lieu of proceeding through the above process.
The Associate Dean for Student Affairs may make exceptions to this procedure based on the severity of the unprofessional activity. That is, The Associate Dean has the option to refer matters directly to the Committee on Student Affairs in lieu of proceeding through the above process.
Approved by Committee on Student Affairs March 2004
Approved by Executive Faculty May 4, 2004
