Professionalism Policy | UC Davis School of Medicine

PURPOSE
To outline processes for students to become aware of and abide by the UC Davis School of Medicine’s (i.e., the School) commitment to professional behavior, respect and accountability, steps in addressing lapses in these professional areas, and the consequences of such lapses.

AUDIENCE
All medical students, and faculty and staff working with medical students

LCME STANDARD
3.5 Learning Environment/Professionalism

POLICY

DEFINITIONS

Discriminatory: any comment, whether intended or unintended, that unreasonably discriminates among individuals on the basis of age, race, color, ancestry, national or ethnic origin, religion, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, disability, gender, perceived gender, gender identity, genetic information or the use of leave protected by state or federal law.
Professionalism Statement (as associated with undergraduate medical education within the School): The practice of medicine requires highest standards of personal and social responsibility within the practice of medicine. These standards should be fostered during medical training as well as throughout practice.

Professionalism is a core competency for the School's medical students and is fundamental to the practice of medicine.
Students are required to sign the Professionalism Statement annually.
Students must demonstrate professional behavior both within and outside the boundaries of a course or clerkship, including when they represent themselves as a UC Davis medical student in any activity.
- Activities might include away rotations, volunteering in health-care associated activities, participating in media presentations, including social media and posting messages on listservs, etc.
Professionalism includes:
1. Behaving in an ethical manner.
2. Abiding by the regulations that govern this institution and which govern one’s position as a student in the School.
3. Fulfilling educational roles and expectations for each course/learning activity as detailed in the respective course syllabus.
4. Timely completion and adherence to administrative and health requirements.
5. Taking responsibility for one’s actions.
6. Working towards the highest level of competence.
7. Treating all those with whom one interacts with in a collegial and respectful manner.
Student behaviors that are of concern and may indicate a lapse in professionalism may be referred to the Director of Student Affairs and the Associate Dean for Students.
1. Lapses result in opportunities for student learning and professional development; they may also help inform structural changes to the learning environment.
2. Based on the seriousness and frequency of the lapse, disciplinary action may result.

PROCEDURE

Students are expected to meet the professional standards as described in the Technical Standards Policy, the School’s Graduation competencies (see References), and the Professionalism Statement (see Definitions).
For minor and isolated professional behavior lapses by students, it is expected that a course/clerkship director, peer, faculty, or staff member who is concerned about the behavior will give direct feedback to the student, discuss ways in which performance can be improved and allow the student adequate opportunity to make appropriate changes.
If the lapse is serious from the perspective of the observer, or the observer's attempt to give the student feedback about a lapse is unsuccessful, or the behavior is repeated, the peer, faculty, or staff member should notify one of the following.
1. The course/clerkship director and appropriate curriculum manager if the behavior occurs in the context of a course/clerkship.
2. The Associate Dean for Students if the behavior is noted outside of a course/clerkship but during School educational or sponsored activities, or on School grounds.
3. Lapses in administrative requirements that are addressed in the Medical Student Compliance with Administrative Tasks Policy (see References) are addressed according to the policy.
A course/clerkship director, and/or staff curriculum managers, who receive a professionalism lapse notification (as outlined in Policy statement C) should contact the Director for Student Affairs and the Associate Dean for Students by submitting the Lapse in Professionalism Physicianship Form (linked).
1. The person submitting the form should discuss the lapse directly with the student and indicate that the form is being submitted.
2. The submitted form will go directly to the Director of Student Affairs and the Associate Dean for Students.
3. The form will be shared with the student’s Academic Coach.
4. The Director of Student Affairs and/or the Associate Dean for Students may reach out to the student to set up a meeting to discuss the professionalism lapse and possible outcomes.
As described in the Regulations of the School of Medicine:
1. Lapses that have occurred in the context of a course, course directors may choose to give a Y mark for the course (see References, Bylaws and Regulations).
2. Students may also be placed on Academic Warning or Notice (formerly known as Probation) or face a dismissal recommendation from the Committee on Student Promotions (CSP) for a professionalism lapse.
Students my ask for clarification about the professionalism lapse from the person who submitted the form.
The student cannot appeal the Physicianship Form unless:
1. The student believes it was based on discrimination (see Definitions).
  - A student with a grievance regarding an alleged act of discrimination as expressed through the form may contact the Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education for investigation and final determination on the lapse.
2. The student believes there was an infringement on the student’s academic freedom.

RESPONSIBILITY
Associate Dean for Student

REFERENCES
UC Davis School of Medicine, Professionalism Graduation Competency
UC Davis School of Medicine Bylaws and Regulations, Regulations 60, 70, 76, and 80

POLICY OWNER
Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education

REVIEWED BY
Associate Dean for Student
Committee on Educational Policy (CEP)
Committee on Student Promotions (CSP)
Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education*

REVIEWED DATE and REVIEW CYCLE
August 2026; annual review cycle

* Indicates the Policy Owner