| Student
Handbook 2006
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Section 7: Honor System
CODE OF PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR
The students of the Keck School of Medicine of the University
of Southern California, in order that our activities reflect
the high standards of moral character demanded by the medical
profession, do subscribe to the following CODE OF
PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR:
Honesty and Integrity:
- We will conduct ourselves with the highest degree
of integrity and honesty in all our academic endeavors including
examinations, papers, procedures, and activities given by
or associated with the Keck School of Medicine or the medical
profession.
- We will truthfully conduct our research and report
our research findings, and will not represent others’
work or ideas as our own.
- We will not seek, by action or implication, oral or
otherwise, to create an incorrect impression of our abilities
or to create an unfair advantage over our colleagues during
evaluations and other procedures.
- We will not tolerate or support unethical behavior
in our colleagues and will report such behavior when it
occurs through established procedures as detailed in the
Student Handbook
Responsibility, Reliability, and Accountability:
- We accept our professional responsibility to respect
the time and effort of others including our patients and
will be punctual with required activities and assignments.
- We hold ourselves accountable to policies and procedures
of the school and its associated clinical sites including,
but not limited to, evaluations, charting, and documentation
requirements.
- We recognize our own personal limitations and will
seek help when needed. We will not assume responsibilities
beyond our capabilities.
- We will represent the Keck School of Medicine appropriately
in all relevant settings.
Respect for others (students, colleagues, faculty, staff,
patients):
- We will treat others with respect and honor their
dignity, both in their presence and with the health care
team.
- We will not discriminate nor tolerate discrimination
based on race, ethnicity, language, religion, gender, sexual
orientation, age, disability, disease, or socioeconomic
status.
- We will respect the confidentiality of our patients
at all times.
- We will treat all members of the health care team
with respect and consideration and will work in collaboration
with others to achieve satisfactory outcomes.
- We will demonstrate respect for our patients and colleagues
by maintaining an appearance that is appropriate to learning
and patient care.
Specific violations of the KSOM Code of Professional
Behavior include but are not limited to the following examples.
It is not just the letter, but also the spirit of the Code
of Professional Behavior that is to be upheld by students.
- Giving or receiving aid in examinations; writing
or preparing reports or presentations that a reasonable
person would conclude are to be done without collaboration.
- Presenting the work of someone else as one’s
own.
- Plagiarism, including using prepared reports from
the Internet or “cutting and pasting” without
referencing original works.
- Falsely reporting attendance at a required activity
when the activity was not attended.
- Falsifying data in research or knowingly participating
in research activities that are reporting false data.
- Falsely reporting physical examination findings, laboratory
data, or patient history information.
- Forging a physician’s signature, even if told
to do so by the physician. This includes, but is not limited
to: prescriptions, physician’s orders, forms for restricted
medications, and discharge summaries.
- Performing a procedure without specific authorization
and/or supervision by the student’s supervising physician.
- Conducting clinical responsibilities while impaired
by drugs or alcohol.
In addition:
- Students must abide by all University of Southern
California policies as described in the University Catalogue
and the SCAMPUS student guide book (section 11.00 –
11.55, Behavior Violating University Standards).
Attendance at the Keck School of Medicine of the University
of Southern California constitutes de facto acceptance of
the CODE OF PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR and its
concepts, the Honor System, and its procedures.
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HONOR SYSTEM
Medical ethics is a difficult subject to describe, much less
to judge. Because of the relationship of physicians to the
public at large, there exist strong feelings towards physicians’
attitudes and behavior by society. Traditionally, the physician
has been ultimately held accountable to society. The individual
doctor’s actions are reviewed and endorsed by colleagues
who attempt to settle in their minds whether or not the adjudged
has fulfilled the basic tenets and an essentially unwritten
code on the ethical care of patients.
Professional behavior encompasses integrity, respect, courtesy,
and compassion, in a pattern of moral and ethical interaction
with patients, peers, faculty, and staff. It requires confidentiality
and responsibility regarding patient information and group
discussions, and demands an understanding of and esteem for
oneself, patients, peers, faculty, and staff.
The Student Ethics Committee (SEC) at USC operates in this
framework. Anticipating that the student will soon find himself/herself
involved in this tradition, an attempt is made to prepare
him/her to understand and respect this obligation. To do so,
s/he must certainly respect and have confidence in himself/herself.
The SEC is a body which is elected by the students and asked
to interpret and describe for them what is ethical behavior,
and in certain instances, to judge whether a certain student
has met those criteria. The SEC itself can only direct. (The
final responsibility is, of course, a private one. Attendance
at USC constitutes a de facto acceptance of this Code of Professional
Behavior.)
Student Ethics Committee (SEC)
ADMINISTRATION
The SEC consists of two students from each of the four medical
school classes, and two faculty members who attend all meetings
of the SEC in an advisory capacity. The function of the SEC
and its members is to provide guidance to students and faculty
concerning the Code of Professional Behavior and the Honor
System, to investigate alleged violations of the Code of Professional
Behavior, to make recommendations concerning such violations
based upon the SEC’s findings in such an investigation,
and to take any other actions the SEC deems reasonable and
proper in the execution of its responsibilities to the Code
of Professional Behavior, to the Student Body, and to the
Keck School of Medicine.
- SEC members are elected by classmates during the general
elections held each year. The term of office is from the
beginning of one Fall semester to the beginning of the Fall
semester one year later; incoming officers may assume responsibilities
prior to the expiration of the term of the outgoing member
with the consent of the outgoing member, and incoming senior
members will assume office upon graduation of the outgoing
senior members.
- There is no limit to the number of terms, consecutive
or nonconsecutive, which may be served by any one individual.
The faculty members will be appointed by the Associate Dean
for Student Affairs (in consultation with the Student Affairs
Committee), and will serve a two-year term, which may be
renewed any number of times.
- The outgoing Chairperson calls a meeting of the newly
elected SEC members in the spring following the election.
The actual terms of service commence in the Fall semester,
notwithstanding situations described above. At this meeting,
the elections of officers for the following year are held.
The officers to be elected and their duties are:
a. The Chairperson
- Will preside over meetings.
- Will preside over all Honor Boards .
- Will normally be the principal liaison between the
SEC and the School Administration in all matter.
- Will meet with the first year class and familiarize
any transferring students during orientation each
fall and explain the Code of Professional Behavior
and the SEC utilizing a brief written synopsis of
the Honor System, citing scenarios of infractions
and procedures to be followed.
- Will be responsible for calling a meeting of the
SEC following the Year I election for the purpose
of becoming familiar with the proceedings of the SEC.
b. The Vice-Chairperson
- In the absence of the Chairperson, shall have the
ability to discharge the duties of the Chairperson
in all matters.
- Cannot be a member of the same class as the Chairperson.
c. The Secretary
- Will record minutes of all regular meetings and
distribute them to all SEC members, the Dean, the
Senior Associate Dean for Educational Affairs, the
Associate Dean for Student Affairs, the Assistant
Deans for Curriculum and Student Affairs, and the
Associate Dean for Curriculum.
- If the Secretary cannot be present, any SEC member
may sit as the Secretary, as designated by the Chairperson.
- May function as Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson
when necessary.
- Should a SEC seat become vacated during the school year,
the remaining member of the affected class will immediately
solicit the class at large for interested individuals to
come forth and apply for the vacated seat. If necessary,
a class election will be held. Should only one person come
forward, she or he will automatically qualify to fill the
seat.
- The representatives for each class are responsible for
announcing the procedures and intent of the Code of Professional
Behavior to their class during the first month of every
school year.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
- The Senior Associate Dean for Educational Affairs, the
Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and the two faculty
members previously mentioned, serve as an advisory body
to the SEC.
- The Student Handbook of the Keck School of Medicine of
the University of Southern California shall include information
concerning the existence and enforcement of the Code of
Professional Behavior at the School, and shall include a
statement informing prospective applicants that attendance
at this School constitutes de facto acceptance of the Code
and its concepts and the Honor System and its procedures.
- For those students offered a position in a class at the
University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine,
a detailed explanation of the Code of Professional Behavior
and the Honor System will be provided during orientation.
- Faculty and staff at the Keck School of Medicine should
also consider it their responsibility to encourage and uphold
the Code of Professional Behavior, including the reporting
of violators.
POTENTIAL VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE
OF PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR
PROCEDURES
Reporting of Offenses – Who can Report
- Any individual should initiate the following procedure
if an honor violation is suspected:
a. In order to ensure an understanding of the situation,
the identifying individual should talk to the person suspected
of committing the violation.
b. If the facts indicate a possible violation of the Code
of Professional Behavior, the alleged violator should
be advised to report to the SEC.
c. If the alleged violator is advised to report to the
SEC and does not, or if circumstances do not permit the
confrontation, the individual suspecting an honor violation
should file a formal complaint with an SEC member.
d. An individual may approach an SEC member for advice
without lodging a formal complaint
-
A formal complaint shall be a brief written description
of the suspected infraction signed by the person bringing
the complaint, and also signed by an SEC member; if an
oral complaint is made to an SEC member, it shall be followed
by a written description.
-
A formal complaint must be brought to the SEC not later
than 30 working days after the commission of the alleged
incident, unless extenuating circumstance interfere. The
formal complaint shall be brought no later than 60 working
days after the discovery by the SEC of the alleged incident.
-
Once a formal complaint has been lodged, or once the
alleged violator has reported to the SEC, a preliminary
investigation will be instituted by the SEC.
-
This procedure should be followed by all persons: faculty,
students, or community members with an academic or non-academic
complaint.
-
If an SEC member is accused, the member will be relieved
of SEC duties until after the case has been decided.
Preliminary Investigation
- Upon receiving a formal complaint concerning a suspected
violation of the Code of Professional Behavior, the SEC
member will take the following actions:
a. The SEC member will inform other members of the SEC
of the complaint.
b. A brief meeting of the SEC will be called to discuss
the complaint, determine the direction and goals of the
subsequent investigation, and delegate investigatory responsibilities.
c. To the extent possible, all persons involved with the
alleged violation, including the alleged violator as well
as witnesses, will be interviewed by a member of the SEC.
Additionally, any factual or material evidence pertinent
to the allegation will be gathered.
-
Should an alleged violator refuse to cooperate with the
SEC members at any time during their actions, the SEC
will proceed without the alleged violator to the conclusion
of its actions.
-
The SEC members will summarize all statements, facts,
and evidence, including test papers if applicable and
available, into a single report which will then be submitted
to the members of the SEC, to the complainant, and to
the alleged violator. This shall occur as soon as possible
and within 20 working days of the formal complaint.
-
The alleged violator may ask the Chairperson of the
SEC to expedite the proceedings, in which case all reasonable
efforts shall be made to ensure that the proceedings are
hastened.
-
The SEC will meet and review the case and decide by
majority vote whether the case should be dismissed or
continued to an Honor Board. A tie vote will be decided
by a faculty member; faculty will otherwise not vote on
whether to proceed to an Honor Board. If the SEC decides
to dismiss the case, the alleged violator and the complainant
will immediately be informed
- If the SEC decides to continue to an Honor Board, the
following will occur:
a. The Chairperson of the SEC will inform the alleged
violator in writing that the SEC has decided to bring
the case before an Honor Board and of the charges to be
presented to the Board. The SEC will provide the alleged
violator with a copy of the SEC’s procedures. The
Chairperson will explain the procedures, and will answer
any questions.
b. The accused shall have fifteen (15) working days after
receiving the notification of the SEC’s decision
to proceed to an Honor Board to prepare for the Honor
Board proceedings. If after 15 days from the notification,
the alleged violator is unable to show cause for continuance,
the case will proceed to an Honor Board.
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HONOR BOARD
General Considerations
- The Honor Board shall consist of nine members: the six
medical student SEC members who are not classmates of the
accused, one of the two appointed faculty SEC members, and
two additional faculty members chosen by the SEC in consultation
with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.
- The Dean of the Keck School of Medicine will not be eligible
to sit on the Honor Board. Faculty members who teach in
the organ system or the clinical service where the alleged
infraction occurred, if applicable, cannot sit on the Honor
Board.
- The SEC will notify the Dean of the Keck School of Medicine
(or his designee) of an impending Honor Board, in order
that the Dean may notify the University legal staff. The
University legal staff will place utmost priority on the
Honor Board proceedings.
- Should an alleged violation of the Code of Professional
Behavior arise when there is a vacancy or vacancies in the
SEC membership, the class presidents who are not classmates
of the accused will fill said vacancies on the Honor Board,
but only for a time period sufficient to resolve the issue
at hand.
- The alleged violator has the right to choose any person
(exclusive of SEC members), and/or legal counsel to assist
in the defense of the allegation. If the accused chooses
to have legal counsel present, s/he must notify the investigating
member no later than ten (10) working days before the Honor
Board.
- The burden shall be on the accused to request documents
in advance of the Honor Board hearing, other than those
previously specified, which will be used against the accused.
- If the alleged violator is unclear of the charges, the
burden shall be on the accused to request a clarification
of the charges in advance of the Honor Board hearing.
Duties of the Honor Board Officer
- The Chairperson of the SEC will preside over the proceedings,
and will make procedural and evidentiary ruling
- The Secretary will be responsible for making a tape recording
of the proceeding. Said tape recording shall remain in the
possession of and shall exist for the use of the SEC exclusively.
Tape will be retained until appeals or options for appeals
have expired, and will then be destroyed.
- If after the 15 days described previously, the alleged
violator is unable to show cause for continuance, the case
will proceed to the Honor Board. The investigating members
of the SEC will be responsible for arranging a time and
place for the Honor Board which is reasonably agreeable
to all parties. He/she will be responsible for insuring
the notification of all witnesses as to the time and place,
and for the presence of all material evidence at the Honor
Board.
Procedures
- The purpose of an Honor Board is to make a determination
of the facts of the case and to make a recommendation to
the Dean.
- An Honor Board will be convened as described previously.
- The accused shall have the option as to whether he/she
desires his/her Board proceedings open to the medical student
body or closed to include only those individuals directly
involved with the case.
- Any arrangements with regard to due process afforded
by these procedures shall be submitted to the Board no less
than 3 day prior to the scheduled date of the hearing.
- The Chairperson will call the meeting to order. He/she
will then call upon the investigating member.
- The investigating member of the SEC will present the
facts and evidence of the case as established by the preliminary
investigation. The following points shall be brought out
by the presentation:
a. Name of the accused
b. Witnesses involved
c. Nature of the suspected violation
d. Points of conflict.
-
Questions may be asked of the investigating member by
the Honor Board or by the accused (who will be present
during all testimony during his/her Honor Board).
-
Any witnesses specified by the investigating member will
now be called to testify before the Board. The Chairperson
will instruct witnesses that the Honor Board is meeting
to investigate the facts of the case and will ask the
witnesses to tell what they know of the case. After the
witness has testified, questions may be directed to the
witness. Anyone present at the Board meeting may ask questions,
although preference will be given to the members of the
Honor Board. When there are no further questions, the
witness will be excused. This procedure will be repeated
with each witness.
-
The accused will present his/her case and will answer
questions. Anyone present may ask questions, although
preference will be given to members of the Honor Board.
The accused may then call any additional witnesses to
testify in his/her behalf before the Honor Board. Anyone
may ask questions, but preference will be given to members
of the Honor Board. When there are no further questions,
the witness will be excused. This procedure will be repeated
with each witness.
-
Formal rules of evidence do not apply. Hearsay evidence
is admissible. However, the final decision cannot be based
on the hearsay evidence alone. Cross-examination will
be limited to the discretion of the Honor Board and shall
not be unreasonable, repetitive, redundant, argumentative,
harassing, vexing or irrelevant to any matter before the
Board. In the foregoing instances, the Board will exercise
its discretion to terminate cross-examination.
-
After all evidence had been presented, the Honor Board
will meet in closed session to consider the facts and
reach a decision as to whether or not the allegation has
been substantiated. This session will not be tape-recorded.
-
A unanimous vote (by secret ballot of student and faculty
members) of the Honor Board will be required to substantiate
an allegation of an Honor Code infraction. If a unanimous
decision cannot be reached initially, further deliberation
and further voting can take place. If an infraction is
substantiated, the Honor Board must agree on a recommendation
for subsequent action by two-thirds vote. The Board will
submit to the Dean of the Keck School of Medicine (or
his designee) recommendations as to disposition of the
case.
- Recommendations to the Dean of the Keck School of Medicine
or his designee may include but are not limited to the following:
a. Dismissal of the individual from the Keck School of
Medicine of the University of Southern California.
b. Dismissal from the individual’s current class,
with re-entry into the Keck School of Medicine with a
subsequent class.
c. Retaking of any examination in question.
d. Being placed on Professional Behavior Probation.
e. Other recommendations as the facts and judgment of
the Honor Board warrant.
-
The Dean or his designee will meet with the Chair of
the Honor Board and will then make a final decision concerning
the disposition of the case, taking into account the findings
and recommendations of the Honor Board.
-
The Dean or his designee will inform the accused, accuser,
and the Honor Board of his decision.
-
The Chair of the Honor Board will then inform the rest
of the involved parties.
Records of the Board Proceedings
If an infraction is substantiated, records of any case which
results in any type of student censure will be preserved to
protect the School and the Honor Board, but only the infraction
and action taken may appear in the Medical Student Performance
Evaluation (MSPE). Records will be maintained in accordance
with University policies pertaining to records of student
conduct. If any infraction is not substantiated, all records
of the investigation will be destroyed.
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PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR PROBATION
Once a student has been placed on Professional Behavior Probation,
he or she will be held accountable to the Code of Professional
Behavior, and to the Professional Behavior Expectations that
follow this section. Any violation of this Code or these Expectations
may constitute the sole reason for further disciplinary action
or dismissal from the Keck School of Medicine.
- A student may be placed on Professional Behavior Probation
by an Honor Board, a Student Performance Committee, the
Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and/or the Dean of the
Keck School of Medicine.
- A student placed on Professional Behavior Probation shall
be reported by the Office of Student Affairs to the SEC
and his or her status will be reviewed at least yearly by
the SEC. During this review, the student may be removed
from Professional Behavior Probation status at the discretion
of both the SEC (by two-thirds majority) and the Associate
Dean for Student Affairs.
- A student on Professional Behavior Probation may request
an early review by the SEC prior to completing one year's
probation. The student on probation must give the SEC at
least one month’s advance notice to complete an early
review.
- A student placed on Professional Behavior Probation shall
be reported to course/ clerkship directors, along with a
copy of the Code of Professional Behavior and the Expectations
that the student is expected to follow. Although the clerkship
directors are notified, the past violation should not be
noted or considered in the student’s evaluation.
- The fact of Professional Behavior Probation will be included
in the student’s Medical Student Performance Evaluation
(MSPE) unless later specifically removed by both the SEC
and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. Removal by the
SEC will require a majority vote by a quorum.
PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
Although all students are expected to behave professionally
without supervision. These expectations have been written
to elaborate upon the responsibilities of all students at
Keck School of Medicine. A violation of any of these expectations
by a student on Professional Behavior Probation may constitute
the sole reason for further disciplinary action or dismissal
from the Keck School of Medicine.
- The student must be punctual for and attend all required
ICM sessions, Professionalism and the Practice of Medicine
(PPM) sessions, lectures, rounds, clinics, conferences,
and all clerkship activities.
- The student must be present for call, and participate
in all team activities.
- Absence from any of the above activities requires a written
note cleared through the Office of Student Affairs, as well
as the completion of an absence request/notification form.
- The student must introduce and represent himself or herself
as a student physician at all times. Therefore, a student
will not wear a long white coat or a badge misidentifying
his or her level of training.
- The student must follow the LAC+ USC professional dress
code in all clinical settings.
- The student must follow all signatures by designating
their current standing, e.g., MS III or MS IV.
- The student may sign (or indicate electronically) only
his or her own name and/or signature to indicate his or
her presence at a workshop, conference, or other activity
with a sign-in sheet or required electronic sign-in or evaluation
form. Signing in another student's or physician's name,
or having another individual sign your name or otherwise
indicate your presence will violate the Code of Professional
Behavior.
- The student is responsible to make sure all notes and
orders are cosigned by a supervising physician.
- The student must never forge a physician's signature,
even if told to do so by the physician. This includes but
is not limited to: prescriptions, physician's orders, forms
for restricted medications, and discharge summaries.
- All information reported to the team from the student
must be accurate to the best of the student's knowledge.
The student must not report any portion of the patient's
history or physical examination unless s/he has first-hand
knowledge of the information being reported. The student
must report only laboratory values or test results that
s/he has personally seen or seen report of. The student
is expected to admit that s/he has forgotten to ask, check,
or look up something if such is the case.
- The student is expected to treat all patients, employees,
colleagues, and superiors with respect.
- The student is responsible for disseminating information
to the student group/team once asked to do so. For example,
a student informed of the time of rounds, the teaching of
a procedure, or a special teaching session must call the
other medical students involved and inform them.
- The student must have specific authorization and/or supervision
by his or her supervising physician in order to perform
any procedure.
- The student is expected to turn in all of his or her
assignments on time, and the content must be original work
completed for that assignment. Any incorporation of the
work of others must be cited. The student is also expected
to complete all requested course and instructor evaluations.
- The student is expected to consider the professional
behavior and well-being of his/her peers, and to report
behaviors of concern to the course or clerkship director,
or to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.
- Sexual advances, gestures, improper propositions, harassment,
battery, threatening behavior, stalking, illegal drug possession,
and any conduct breaking the law will not be tolerated.
- The student must abide by all University of Southern
California policies as described in the University Catalogue
and the SCAMPUS student guidebook (Section 11.00-11.55,
Behavior Violating University Standards).
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