1. Act honorable in all endeavors.
The physician has been entrusted by society with vital responsibilities-maintenance of health and prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. In accepting this trust, it is expected that members of the medical profession will act honorably in all of their endeavors. The need to adhere to the highest standards of personal and professional integrity applies equally to practicing physicians, faculty members in academic medical centers, houseofficers and medical students.
2. Respect others.
All individuals should be treated with the respect due any person in this society regardless of individual differences such as: race, gender, sexual orientation or level of training. Students have the right to express ideas, values and religious beliefs and to practice them within the confines of the ethics and acceptable standards of the medical profession. Furthermore, consideration should be given to individual limits in respect to level of education as well as emotional and physical abilities. Finally, students should be treated as developing professionals and future colleagues of the faculty. Concomitantly, students should respect the faculty in the same way in which they wish to be treated.
3. Never:
a. Commit an act of physical violence (except in self-defense)
b. Sexually abuse or harass
c. Discriminate on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation
d. Threaten to harm
e. Verbally abuse
4. Report violations of this Code of Conduct to the appropriate authorities.
Institutional Responsibilities to Students
It is the responsibility of the faculty and administration of the College of Medicine to provide the following in the education of students:
1. An environment in which the educational activities of the students are adequately supported and their physical safety is protected.
2. A curriculum in which their education is paramount in the assignment of all tasks. Tasks given to students should be assigned for the primary purpose of enhancing the students' educational experience. Though students provide a valuable service role for the healthcare teams, this should not be the main focus of their activities.
3. Support in all aspects of their professional development. This support should include a carefully planned and well articulated curriculum. The administration should facilitate the progress of the student through this curriculum. Finally, students should be supported in their personal development as they deal with the various adjustments to the profession and the difficulties they may encounter in their lives outside of the institution.
4. A reasonable amount of unassigned time for self care, social and family obligations and recreation.
5. Accurate, appropriate and timely feedback to the students concerning their performance in the curriculum. The evaluation of students should be consistent with the stated goals of the course that should, in turn, be meaningful for future medical practice. Furthermore, feedback needs to be provided during the course in addition to that provided at the end.
6. Opportunities for students to participate in decision-making processes in the College.
Responsibilities of Students
It is the responsibility of the students to:
1. Respect the authority of the faculty in determining the proper training environment and activities for their education.
2. Meet the objectives of the curriculum to the best of their abilities.
3. Take an active role with the faculty in the refinement and evaluation of the curriculum.
4. Communicate to the faculty their individual values and limits when these are in conflict with assigned tasks.
5. Support their colleagues in their professional development.
6. Assume an appropriate level of responsibility in healthcare teams and to execute these responsibilities to the best of their abilities.
Students who wish to report violations of this Code or seek advise
about specific situations should contact the Student Ombudsperson, Larry
Moher, M.D., 626-6216.