Immunization and Communicable Disease Policy

Immunization and Communicable Disease (Policy # SC-03)
Approved by: School of Medicine Executive Committee
Lead Writer: SOMAC
Last Revised: April 21, 2009

Whereas, the School of Medicine:

•  is committed to ensure the safety of patients and volunteers who agree to participate in the education of our students

•  recognizes our students are novice members of the medical profession whose education and behaviour should emulate that of practicing physicians

• promotes high standards of professionalism and dedication to patient care

•  recognizes and supports the requirement of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario that physicians monitor their communicable disease status and modify their activities appropriately

•  is committed to practices that ensure our students are aware of medical issues that could impact their personal health and career choices

•  is committed to providing all reasonable educational accommodations as may be necessary and are consistent with the pedagogic requirements of our program

The following practice will be undertaken:

1. Students will be encouraged to submit evidence of their status with respect to immunization and possible infection (as outlined in the accompanying document “Communicable Disease Screening Process”), at entry and prior to beginning their
clinical clerkship

2. submitted documents will be reviewed in a confidential manner by the Communicable Disease Advisory Group (terms of reference attached)

3. For students who are not fully immunized, who are found to harbour potentially transferable pathogens, or those who choose not to submit evidence, the committee will make recommendations for the purposes of:
a. Ensuring the health of the student
b. Counselling the student as to appropriate career choices
c. Ensuring patient and volunteer safety

4. Such recommendations may include any or all of the following:
a. Recommendations regarding medical care and follow up for the student
b. Provision of appropriate counselling and support
c. Curricular accommodations designed to allow the student to participate without posing risk to patients or volunteers

5. Although every reasonable attempt will be made to accommodate students with known blood borne pathogens or unknown status, it cannot be assumed that successful completion of all aspects of the curriculum will be possible in every case.

6. All current students and potential applicants to our school will be made aware of this policy through publication on our website, calendar and application literature.