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Confidentiality Appearance Identification

One of the goals of graduating medical students is to fulfil the role of "professional".  As defined by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada CanMEDS 2005 Physician Competency Framework, the professional role requires that physicians demonstrate a commitment to their patients, profession and society through ethical practice, participation in profession-led regulation and a commitment to physician health and sustainable practice.  The CPSO has also prepared a document outlining Professional Responsibilities in Undergraduate Medicine (CPSO Policy #2-03).

One of the expectations of undergraduate medical students at Queen's University is appropriate professional behaviour throughout their career as a medical student.    Significant or repeated deficiencies in any or all of these areas during clerkship will be reported to the Rotation and Phase Directors and documented in order to guide the student and plan remediation.  A pattern of significant or repeated unprofessional behaviour will result in academic consequences for the student.  Full details are outlined on the Phase III policies and regulations webpage.

While it is impossible to anticipate all situations, the following is a list of appropriate behaviours expected of students during their training:

1. Respect for self, patients, peers, other physicians and health care professionals.  Important specific considerations include:
   1. Altruism and empathy,
   2. Honesty and integrity,
   3. Caring and compassion,
   4. Maintenance of patient confidentiality,
   5. A professional appearance
   6. Sensitivity to multiple cultures and lifestyles,
   7. Punctuality.
2. Good communication with patients, colleagues and allied health professionals. This includes:
   1. Identification of your role to patients,
   2. Notification of your team, supervisors and the administrative office if you have any planned or unplanned absences,
3. Insight into the limits of one's knowledge and skills and a commitment to learning and maintenance of competence. This includes:
   1. The ability to receive and respond to feedback and critique of self, and to manage conflict appropriately,
   2. Attendance at scheduled teaching sessions and assigned clinical activities.

The UK General Medical Council describes "the duties of a doctor" in a very elegant and understandable fashion.  These are also summarized in our own Queen's Medical Oath which is part of  the pre-clerkship white coat ceremony.

Tips to improve your professional behaviour during clerkship

Simple things will help you to act in a professional fashion:

1. Your appearance should reflect your role as a professional. A survey of the COPC clinic residents and staff in 2005 reached the following consensus: "The ambulatory clinic is a place of professional business. Students, residents and staff should be dressed and groomed in such a way that they reflect their professional role and meet the expectations and norms of patients and staff in the clinic."
2. Be polite and considerate,
3. Be punctual,
4. Understand what the team expects of you and ask if you are not clear
5. Be prepared (read around your cases),
6. Communicate well - let your team and the undergraduate office know if you have to be absent for any reason,
7. Think of yourself as part of a team now and recognize that the team depends upon you,
8. Ask for feedback and try to incoporate suggestions for improvement into your subsequent performance,
9. Seek help if you are having trouble with a patient or team member.

Professionalism workshop: slides and handout and annotated bibliography (presented May 1, 2006 at CAME Conference, London, ON)