Introduction Over the past decade, there has been an increased focus on professionalism in all aspects of medicine. The Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires all residents to develop competence in professionalism. The specific competency domain of professionalism states:
Residents must demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and an adherence to ethical principles. Specifically they must demonstrate:
Compassion, integrity and respect for others
Responsiveness to patient needs
Respect for patient privacy and autonomy
Accountability to patients, society and the profession
Sensitivity and responsiveness to a diverse patient population, including but not limited to diversity in gender, age, culture, race, religion, disabilities and sexual orientation
Procedure
Residents are expected behave professionally:
Accept criticism in a non-defensive manner
Demonstrate appropriate sensitivity to patients and their families
Complete tasks in a timely manner
Be available for professional responsibilities
Demonstrate honesty and integrity
Maintain a professional demeanor, including:
Have an appearance and dress that are in line with professional standards as established by departmental policies
Exhibit respectful and courteous behaviors
Be responsive to questions and accommodating to requests
Express anger in a non-public and non-physical manner
Adhere to professionally accepted boundaries for patient relationships
Conform to sexual harassment and discrimination policies
Unprofessional conduct, to include but not limited to the following, is unacceptable and may be subject to progressive discipline:
Failure to be truthful in all circumstances
Violation of state and federal rules/laws as standards of practice
Chronic lateness and/or failure to complete tasks in a timely manner
Rudeness
Disregard for other team members
Disrespect for authority
Inappropriate behavior with patients, families or other members of the health care team
Public or physical displays of anger
Failure to follow up on clinical activities
Abuse of power
Failure to respect policies of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and affiliated hospitals
Inappropriate use of social media
Use of personal email for sending UNR Med business
Unexplained absences
Failure to adhere to departmental dress standards
Unprofessional behavior is grounds for disciplinary academic and/or punitive action(s) as stated in Item II.B. above.
Program directors will investigate complaints and prescribe remediation if indicated.
Persistent problems will be brought before the programs' specific evaluation group for recommendations and additional remediation (i.e., IM-clinical competency committee; Pediatrics—resident review committee, etc.).
Should unprofessional behaviors continue and fail to be remediated at the previous two levels, residents will be brought before the GMEC's Resident Performance Review Committee for a hearing.