VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

• As students must be able to examine and treat patients regardless of gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, and other factors, it is expected that students will participate in classes that include students of different backgrounds. Students, just as faculty, are expected to address their patients (in this case peers) in an appropriate manner. • During OMM lab small group instruction, it is possible for the student acting as the “patient” to request the student serving as the “physician” be a specific gender for specific examinations. While this is not possible for all instruction or testing, when appropriate and possible, the Discipline Chair will accommodate such requests. It is; however, a technical standard that the students must be able to touch/examine persons of both genders in order to meet technical standards for a practicing physician and this will be required during the student’s education. It is not possible for all male students to have only male examiners or all female students to have only female examiners. In addition, this does not educate students appropriately for their future practices. Any students who believes he or she has experienced inappropriate touching or other misconduct and believes he or she is experiencing gender-based harassment, sexual misconduct, or other harassment in the classroom or laboratory setting must report this to the Course Director or Discipline Chair on the day of the laboratory, or to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, or to Human Resources in confidence. Clinical Professional and Ethical Expectations VCOM students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner at all times while on clinical rotations or in the clinical setting. High professional standards are expected to be consistent with those of the osteopathic medical profession. Students on rotations are working in both the academic community and the health care team. Honesty, integrity, and patient confidentiality are expected in all situations. In addition, compliance with institutional rules and regulations, city, state, and federal laws is required. If precepting faculty suspects or identifies problems with a student's progress, performance, or professional behavior they are to contact the DSME for the site and the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs. Faculty may also notify the Clinical Chair. A student may be removed from the site by hospital administration and unable to complete his or her clinical education at the site following a professional and ethical infraction. The hospitals and clinical sites dictate whether the student has the ability to continue clinical training in their facility, and this is outlined in the mutually agreed upon affiliation agreements with all sites. The student is always considered an invited guest or learner in the facility in which he or she is training and must; therefore, become familiar with and follow all clinical site policies and procedures. All reports of unprofessional or unethical behaviors will be thoroughly investigated and, should action be taken, the appropriate procedures will be followed as outlined by the Honor Code Council and/or the Professional and Ethical Standards Board. Examples of such problems may include, but are not limited to:

• Poor interpersonal skills or deficient clinical skills for a medical student • Below average academic and/or clinical performance • Unprofessional behavior in medical reporting or documentation

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