Saint Louis University Residents Association || Graduate Medical Education Program || Saint Louis University School of Medicine

RESIDENT AND FELLOW CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Preamble || Code of Professional Conduct || Expectations
Code Violations || Proceedures || Appendix A-F

The following Code of Professional Conduct for Residents and Fellows of Saint Louis University School of Medicine's Graduate Medical Education Programs was approved by the Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC) on June 20, 2000.

Preamble
Saint Louis University School of Medicine in sponsoring Graduate Medical Education Programs strives to prepare physicians for practice in their chosen medical specialty, focusing on the development of clinical skills, professional competence, and acquisition of key knowledge through organized educational programs with guidance and supervision. Professional competence requires that they manifest in their lives exemplary ethical and professional attitudes.
Among the attitudes and behavior we espouse are:
1. respect for the sanctity of human life
2. respect for the dignity of patients
3. appreciation of the role of religion, family, work, community, and culture in patients' well-being and illness
4. devotion to social justice, including addressing inequalities in the availability of health care
5. personal humility and an awareness of medicine's inherent limitations
6. maturity and balanced personal and professional lives
7. an understanding and respect for collegial teamwork in the provision of health care
8. commitment to the development and continued maintenance of clinical competence in ourselves, our colleagues, and our students.
Residents entering the Graduate Medical Education programs must realize the importance of this professional ethic and assume responsibility for developing, reviewing, and maintaining these ideals in themselves, their colleagues and the medical profession. The fundamental principle is personal responsibility for professional conduct at all times based on the ethic long espoused by the medical profession of self-effacing service to society. Development of a professional ethic must begin before admission to a GME program, and must continue for as long as we live and represent the medical profession.
The Code of Professional Conduct is founded on a long tradition extending at least from the Hippocratic School. This and other cultures' traditions acknowledge the unique privileges and hence responsibilities of the medical profession. The individual deprived of perfect health becomes vulnerable and dependent on the knowledge entrusted to the healing professionals who have pledged that the welfare and autonomy of the patient takes precedence over the self-interest of the healer. The Code speaks to the relationship of the physician and patient, as well as to the relationship of trust and respect among students, residents, faculty, staff, and society in general.
The Code of Professional Conduct recognizes the sponsoring influence of the Catholic faith and the Society of Jesus, which conceive of the person as a free and responsible agent capable of making a difference for good or ill in the world. Residents must develop as critically reflective and socially responsible persons capable of exercising leadership in advancing the cause of human good.
The Code of Professional Conduct for residents is not intended to dictate behavior. It does, however, establish minimum expectations which provide a disciplinary framework for those who choose not to abide by these professional standards, and it serves to remind everyone that a procedural framework for enforcing the Code is in place.
The Code of Professional Conduct for Residents/Fellows
"I will conduct myself so that as a student of medicine, serving as a resident or fellow, and member of the profession of medicine, I will be able to promise those whose care I am entrusted competence, integrity, candor, personal commitment to their best interests, compassion, and absolute discretion and confidentiality.
I shall do by my patients as I would be done, shall obtain consultation when they desire or I believe there is a need, shall include them to the extent possible in all important decisions, and shall help decrease suffering when cure is not attainable, recognizing that a dignified death is important in everyone's life.
I shall accept all patients in a non-judgmental manner, respecting the full human dignity of each individual regardless of their value system. I shall at all times and in all places conduct myself with honor and integrity, and I shall respect the rights and dignity of all individuals. I promise to attend to my own physical, mental, intellectual, and spiritual development in the best interest of serving others."
Expectations
The following statements, organized into broad categories, further describe the School of Medicine's minimum expectations for residents' professional behavior.
1. Respect for all individuals in the School of Medicine's community.
  Residents, students, faculty, and staff recognize the right of all individuals to be treated with respect without regard to position, race, age, gender, handicap, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation.
  Sexual harassment is prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The School of Medicine shall take steps reasonable necessary to prevent sexual harassment from occurring, which will include, but is not limited to: providing a process for filing and handling complaints; educating the medical school community; affirmatively raising the subject and expressing strong disapproval thereof; developing appropriate sanctions, informing faculty, staff, residents, and students of their rights and developing methods to sensitize all concerned. (For complete policy and procedure, see the Saint Louis University's Sexual Harassment Policy {http://www.slu.edu/services/HR/sexharas.html}).
2. Appropriate handling of information, records, or examination materials.
  Any form of cheating or providing false information is a violation of the trust placed in physicians and is a serious infraction of the Code of Professional Conduct.
  Patients' records must be accurate and legible. Timely and accurate completion of medical records according to specific guidelines of the affiliated institution at which the resident is rotating is mandatory.
3. Respect for patients' confidentiality and safety.
  Patients' privacy, modesty, and confidentiality must always be honored. Patients must be treated with kindness, gentleness, dignity, empathy, and compassion. Patients should not be publicly identified without adequate justification or permission.
4. Proper deportment as a medical professional.
  Appearance, speech, and behavior should be above reproach during patient care activities. Identification badges issued by the School and by affiliated hospitals should be clearly displayed. Dress should be appropriate for professional activities, and personal hygiene should be exemplary.
  Possession or use of stimulants, depressants, narcotics, or hallucinogenic drugs and other agents having potential for abuse, except on a physician's or dentist's prescription, are forbidden by medical school policy and local, state, and federal law. Such conduct is prohibited on Saint Louis University's premises or as part of any university activities. The selling, bartering, exchanging, or giving away of such drugs to any person is illegal and prohibited. Residents engaged in the use of illegal substances will be subject to arrest by law enforcement agents and will seriously jeopardize their status as trainees at this school. (See Postgraduate Training Programs Letter of Appointment, Addendum or, for complete policy and procedure, see the Saint Louis University Drug/Alcohol Abuse Prevention Policy { http://www.slu.edu/services/HR/drugalc.html}).
5. Respect for laws, policies, and regulations.
  Residents are expected to recognize that laws are established for the benefit of society as a whole. Specific rules, policies, and regulations have been established for the benefit of the School of Medicine's community. Laws, policies, and regulations are not to be disregarded or violated. Residents who feel that the policies, procedures, or regulations of the school require modification are encouraged to suggest improvements to appropriate administrative, faculty, or resident offices.
6. Respect for property and instructional material.
  All property and instructional material must be respected.
Code Violations
A violation of the Code of Professional Conduct occurs when any resident acts contrary to the values and responsibilities expected of those engaged in the profession of medicine. Violations occur when any resident jeopardizes the welfare of a patient, disregards the rights or dignity of another individual, or allows or assists another in so doing. For example, residents are subject to discipline under the Code if they have knowledge of an infraction of the Code, but fail to appropriately report it.
Appendix A lists examples of unacceptable behavior under each category of expectations. The School of Medicine reserves the right to initiate action and impose sanctions for any conduct that is not specifically listed in Appendix A, but is determined to be a violation of the Code, regardless of whether the violation occurs on or off the premises of the School.
Procedures for Investigating and Taking Action to Remedy Code Violations
The School of Medicine has a responsibility to ensure a professional environment and to provide equity for all parties involved in a breach of professional conduct. Therefore, the School has adopted procedures to respond to infractions of the Professional Conduct Code. Individuals reporting an infraction of the Code can first speak with offenders about the infraction and remind them of their professional conduct. However, if the circumstances do not allow the claimant to approach the offender, or the claimant believes the alleged infraction requires further action, the allegation may be referred to the GME Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman helps faculty, students, and staff resolve University related conflicts. The Ombudsman seeks to ensure that all members of the School of Medicine community receive fair and equitable treatment. The Ombudsman's concern is to bring to the attention of responsible administrators those problems which persist and which should be corrected. The Ombudsman functions independently and is neutral, impartial, and confidential.
Allegations not resolved by the Ombudsman, or of sufficient seriousness, may be referred by the Ombudsman or complainant to the Graduate Medical Education Professional Conduct Council, after consultation with the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education.
1. Graduate Medical Education Professional Conduct Council
  The Graduate Medical Education Professional Conduct Council (GMEPCC) is empowered to investigate violations of the Code of Professional Conduct and to recommend sanctions or remediation.
  The GMEPCC will consist of a departmental chairperson, a program director, four residents (from year two or beyond their residency), two faculty members, and one member of the Dean's staff. The chairperson of the committee will not be a resident member. All members are appointed by the Dean of the School of Medicine. Resident terms begin in Year 2 and terminate at the end of their residency or after three years. Faculty, administrative staff, and the chairperson will serve for four years. In the event that a resident leaves the Council, a vacancy would be filled with a temporary appointee by the Dean. In an emergency event where the designated resident members cannot be gathered at a specific time, the position(s) may be filled by alternates named by the Dean. In the absence of the chairperson, meetings shall be chaired by a vice-chairperson appointed by the Dean among non-resident members. A vacant faculty or administrative position may be filled at the discretion of the Dean of the School of Medicine. In the event a vacancy is only temporary, it is understood that the member appointed to the GMEPCC shall be bound by the same charges of confidentiality as the other members of GMEPCC. If a temporary member has been appointed, this member will remain on the GMEPCC until the review has been completed. In the event that any of the members of the Council are also members of the accused resident's department, that member will temporarily be replaced until resolution of the proceedings. Confidential minutes will be kept of all deliberations, and are the responsibility of the chairperson or designee.
2. Procedure to Investigate an Infraction by the Graduate Medical Education Professional Conduct Council.
  1. Residents, students, faculty, staff, or patients making an allegation should do so to the GME Ombudsman who will make every effort to resolve all issue(s) at an informal level within ten working days. If it is determined that the allegation cannot be resolved at an informal level, the matter shall be formally referred to the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education, who may take direct action and contact the chairperson of the Council.
    Should a complaint suggest a threat to the safety and welfare of patients or other members of the School of Medicine's community, at the discretion of the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education, the accused resident may be placed on an interim suspension from clinical activities until a full investigation is complete. A resident accused of violating local, state, or federal laws may be referred to law enforcement authorities for appropriate action including arrest. The School reserves the right to pursue disciplinary action pursuant to the Code, regardless of where the conduct occurred, and independent of any civil or criminal proceedings.
  2. If in ten working days a mutually agreeable solution is not reached between the complainant and the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education, the Associate Dean will ask the chairperson of the GMEPCC to proceed with convening a meeting within ten working days.
  3. The Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education will present a confidential written report to the GMEPCC including the following:
    - a description of the complaint with pertinent documentation, if any;
    - channels already pursued to resolve the issue(s);
    - results of previous discussion/action.
  4. The GMEPCC will review the information received and interview pertinent individuals, including the accused resident. Should the resident accused of a violation fail to appear, the GMEPCC will make its decision based on the information presented.
    Residents may have an advisor present to assist them in proceedings before the GMEPCC. The advisor's participation is limited to consulting with the resident. Since the proceedings before the GMEPCC are not legal proceedings, a resident will not be allowed to have legal counsel serve as an advisor unless criminal charges arising out of the same conduct are currently pending. Under no circumstances, may University Counsel be contacted by residents or their advisors.
  5. After all testimony has been received, the GMEPCC will proceed in private for the purpose of deliberation.
  6. The GMEPCC will determine whether it is more likely than not that the accused violated the Code. The GMEPCC will make this determination by a majority vote of the members present. The GMEPCC will consider at least the following recommendations:
    - written censure by the GMEPCC maintained in a confidential file in the Program Director's file as well as the Registrar's office in a separate file from the resident/fellow's permanent file;
    - recommendation of required restitution action;
    - placement of a letter concerning the incident in the resident/fellow's permanent file;
    - suspension or dismissal from the School of Medicine's residency program;
    - notification of the appropriate licensing and regulatory agencies;
  7. If a recommendation for dismissal is not unanimous, a minority report will also be submitted.
  8. The recommended course of action will be communicated in writing to the resident/fellow and the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education, who will implement the GMEPCC recommendations. If dismissal is recommended for the resident/fellow, the School of Medicine Policy and Procedure for resident dismissal will apply. A resident/fellow who is dismissed from the School of Medicine's residency training program may appeal that decision through the process outlined in the School's Graduate Medical Education Committee Procedure Guide.
  9. A resident's failure to comply with the sanctions imposed under the Code may result in further disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
  10. These proceedings both informal and formal shall take place outside of the accused resident's Program and Department. They shall involve the resident's Program Director and/or Department only in so far as necessary for appropriate investigation or as required actions affect clinical duties and/or academic progress in the residency or fellowship.

Preamble || Code of Professional Conduct || Expectations
Code Violations || Proceedures || Appendix A-F