The University of Florida College of Medicine School of Physician Assistant Studies (COM SPAS) is committed to promoting a positive learning culture and treating all members of the college community fairly with regard to both personal and professional concerns. The student learning culture policy ensures that concerns are promptly dealt with and resolutions reached in a fair and just manner. COM SPAS procedures enable students to bring both problems and positive interactions to the attention of the COM SPAS administration in a timely manner. If alleged incident(s) rises to the level of removal from teaching responsibilities, the Chief of Medical Staff and Human Resources will be notified. The College forbids any retaliatory action against students who present grievances in good faith.
Mistreatment is any decision, act, or condition affecting a student that is determined to be illegal or unjust or that has created unnecessary hardship. Mistreatment may take the form of verbal or physical abuse, discrimination for any reason, or a requirement for individual service activity that is independent of requirements for other team members.
Unprofessional behavior is an action that goes against accepted professionalism standards. Unprofessional behavior may take the form of usage of unprofessional or profane language or disrespect of other physicians, health professions, learners, or patients and families.
When such an incident occurs, the student should take steps to address it by completing a report using the Learning Culture Feedback Form. Each report will be reviewed and monitored by the COM SPAS Assistant Director, who will review and assign to the appropriate faculty or leadership, when and if applicable. After filing a report the student may first discuss the problem with the individual responsible for the negative action or with any SPAS leadership. The party contacted by the student will then address the concern with the appropriate Course Director or preceptor who is responsible for the educational activity in which the incident occurred. A written record of incidents reported will be maintained by the SPAS. Once the allegation is elevated beyond the level of the individual responsible for the incident, the reviewing authority should meet with the student within ten business days of being notified of the incident to provide support, and an update regarding the resolution. If the student is not satisfied with the response of the reviewing official, the student may appeal to the SPAS Associate Program Director.
UF COM SPAS also wants to celebrate individuals who are exemplars in contributing positively to the learning environment and facilitate such behavior becoming an inherent part of our culture. Students may also report these positive interactions by using the Learning Culture Feedback Form.
A student who has been accused of mistreatment or harassment of others is entitled to due process to refute or challenge the accusations per policies of the University of Florida (UF Regulations 1.006 Non-Discrimination/Harassment/Invasion of Privacy Policies, and 4.012 Student Grievance Procedure).
Faculty who observe unprofessional behavior or mistreatment of students should report it to the responsible course director, and complete the Learning Culture Feedback Report. Faculty may report positive interactions through this process as well.
At any point in the process outlined above, the student also may address a concern about mistreatment with the Director for Student Counseling and Development. This official may provide counseling to the student but is not responsible for attempting to redress the grievance.