Professionalism PolicyHonor CodeUCLA Student Conduct Code
Guiding Principles of Professionalism
Professionalism as a physician begins in medical school, and at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, professionalism is as important as academic performance, and is treated as such. Professionalism is grounded in the commitment to maintain patient interests above physician self-interest and to maintain personal, academic, and professional integrity. These commitments are guided by the principles of our Cultural North Star: Do What’s Right, Make Things Better, Be Kind. Our expectations of your professional behavior begin with your first day at DGSOM and include:
Professional Responsibilities and Expectations:
As a medical student and future physician, we expect you to demonstrate exceptional professionalism. All students shall adhere to the Honor Code and Code of Conduct for the School of Medicine and the University; however, our expectations of your professional behavior extend beyond these oaths. The following are our expectations for the demonstration of professional behavior for all students entering the medical profession. Any violation of these professionalism expectations will be treated seriously. (Please see “Professionalism Concern Process” below.)
Professionalism Concern Process
When anyone (faculty, staff, residents, etc.) identifies a lapse in student professionalism, they may notify a Course Chair or Dean. The Course Chair or Dean may choose various courses of action. They may choose to provide the student with feedback on the specific behavior, and they may also choose to formally document and report the lapse using the Professionalism Concern Reporting Form.
Professionalism Concern Reporting Form
If the lapse in professionalism falls within the parameters of the University disciplinary system (e.g. plagiarism, falsification of documents, verbal or physical or sexual assault, or sexual harassment), the student will be referred to the appropriate University Disciplinary Body.
After a Professionalism Concern Reporting Form is filed, the student will first meet with the Course Chair or their Assistant Dean to discuss the concerns and together, they will make a plan for remediation.
The procedure following the issuance of a Professionalism Concern Reporting Form is outlined below:
If a student receives one Professionalism Concern Reporting Form:
If a student receives a second Professionalism Concern Reporting Form:
If a student receives a third Professionalism Concern Reporting Form:
If a student receives a fourth Professionalism Concern Reporting Form:
If a student on Academic/Professional Probation for professionalism concerns receives an additional Professionalism Concern Reporting Form, the student may be referred to the Committee on Academic Standing, Progress and Promotion (CASPP) for consideration of dismissal. CASPP has the authority to dismiss a student from the medical school for failure to demonstrate appropriate ethical or professional behavior.
*Note that students may appeal decisions of the Academic Performance Committee (APC) to the Committee on Academic Standing, Progress and Promotion (CASPP).
Approved by CASPP July 2020
"The act of detachment, the virtue of method, the quality of thoroughness, and the grace of humility." -Sir William Osler
As a UCLA medical student, I recognize that it is a great privilege and responsibility to study medicine. When I entered this school, I undertook the task of maintaining a certain standard of conduct not only as a student, but also as a future professional.
Each student should strive to develop and maintain personal honor and integrity as well as compassionate and ethical behavior. It is the responsibility and duty of each student to achieve these ideals. Rather than an inclusive listing, the honor code outlines the behavior and ideals that we medical students believe to be important; student should strive to progress beyond these guidelines.
Academic Honesty
Confidentiality
Respect for Others
Responsibility
Integrity
I will endeavor to uphold these principles in both letter and spirit.
Please note that in addition to all of the School of Medicine Policies, the UCLA Student Conduct Code also applies to all students enrolled in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.Please go here for more information: http://www.deanofstudents.ucla.edu/Student-Conduct-Code