Students’ Professional Behavior
 
Just as it is expected that faculty, staff and residents will interact with students in a professional and respectful manner, it is expected that all College of Medicine students interact with each other, faculty, residents, staff, and community-based preceptors in a professional manner.  The COM Competencies document outlines some standards for professional behavior and the physicianship form that follows has more specifics..  We also wish to reiterate that students are expected to consistently demonstrate professional values such as:

• Maintaining a commitment to scholarship
• Assuming responsibility and being dutiful
• Interacting with peers, faculty, residents, staff and community-based preceptors with courtesy and respect
• Helping colleagues meet their responsibilities
• Exhibiting a high standard of moral and ethical behavior

Physicianship Evaluation Form and Professional Standards Subcommittee
 
To foster students’ professional growth and encourage high standards of professional behavior amongst the students, the College of Medicine course directors and faculty have adopted a feedback system to inform a student when his or her behavior has been unprofessional.  The Physicianship Evaluation Form is intended to provide students and course directors/faculty a formal opportunity to discuss perceived transgressions of professional behavior on the part of the student.  The form is not intended to be punitive, but rather to encourage self-assessment and improvement where needed to ensure positive professional growth. A copy of the form is provided on the next page.

In addition, when there has been a pattern of concern, either documented by the Physicianship Evaluation Form or other communication to the Dean’s Office, about a student’s professional behavior, the student will be recommended to meet with the Professional Standards Subcommittee.  The Professional Standards Subcommittee is a component of the Student Progress Committee of the College of Medicine.  The Subcommittee is chaired by the chairperson of the Student Progress Committee.  The Subcommittee is comprised solely of active members of the Progress Committee who have been selected to review all reported cases where patterns of unprofessional behavior have been exhibited by a student.  The committee will meet with the student, review concerns, and provide guidance and instruction for professional development.

MUSC COM PHYSICIANSHIP EVALUATION FORM