Early Concern Program
Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine Honor Code: "A Texas A&M medical student is a professional who exhibits leadership, honesty, integrity, compassion, respect and self-discipline."
Professionalism is a core competency for College of Medicine students and is fundamental to the practice of medicine.
Medical students are expected to demonstrate adequate professional and personal attributes both within and outside the boundaries of a course or clerkship. In addition, each student is encouraged to hold their colleagues to the standard of professionalism as stated in the student Honor Code. The goal of this program is to improve the professional performance of our medical students throughout the four-year curriculum.
The submission of an Early Concern Form indicates that a student needs assistance in developing their skills as a medical professional. A faculty member who is concerned about a student's behavior is expected to give feedback to the student and make suggestions for improvement. Following a discussion with the student, the faculty member may complete an Early Concern Form and submit it to the Student Liaison. If a staff member or fellow student has a concern about a students behavior, they may complete and submit an Early Concern Form, but are encouraged to give feedback directly to the student. It is expected that forms will be submitted in good faith and will not be utilized to resolve personal disputes.
The Student Liaison is a faculty position with the responsibility of promoting the professional development of all students. The Student Liaison position is nominated by the fourth-year class and recommended to the Dean. The term of the Student Liaison is for three years and he/she may be reappointed. The duties of the Student Liaison include contacting and meeting with a student each time a form is submitted. The Student Liaison will then fully discuss the incident with the student, giving the student the opportunity to discuss their perspectives on the issue. To document this process, the student will sign and date the form and may provide any additional information in writing as well. Further follow up will be at the discretion of the Student Liaison. Every attempt will be made to maintain student-to-student anonymity. This cannot be assured if infractions meet qualifications for being reported to the Office of Student Affairs as outlined below. The reporting student will be informed prior to any identity disclosure, and may relinquish their right to anonymity at any time.
Three reports of infractions will result in notification of the Office of Student Affairs through a summary memo of the incidents and subsequent discussions compiled by the Student Liaison. If an incident is determined to be particularly serious, the Office of Student Affairs will be informed immediately, at which point they will meet with the student and/or conduct the necessary investigation into the matter. The severity of the infraction will be determined by the Student Liaison. Once notified of three infractions, the Office of Student Affairs will schedule a meeting with the student to again give the student the opportunity to discuss their perspectives on issues identified through the Early Concern Program. If a fourth infraction occurs, the Office of Student Affairs will put the matter before the Student Promotions Committee. The Student Promotions Committee will discuss the issue and will determine the most appropriate course of action. Potential consequences include, but are not limited to, probation, suspension, placement of a memo in the student's permanent file, placement of a comment concerning the issue in the students dean letter, or mandated courses of action to foster the students progression toward self-improvement. Following the ruling from the Student Promotions Committee, the student may appeal in writing and may be asked to appear before the committee.
If concerns are voiced about a student by the Student Promotions Committee or if a student is on probation, the Student Promotions Committee may request information from the Student Liaison concerning any Early Concern Form submitted on that student, regardless of the number of forms submitted. The Student Liaison will still meet with the student, as outlined above, to discuss the Early Concern Form submission. Every attempt will be made to maintain student-to-student anonymity during Student Promotions Committee discussions.
Unprofessional behavior in the presence of patients or their families may, at the discretion of the Student Liaison, be considered more serious and require earlier involvement of Student Affairs or the Student Promotions Committee.
Upon graduation, any infraction that remains in the Early Concern Program and is never referred to either the Office of Student Affairs or the Student Promotions Committee will be discarded and will not be part of the student's permanent file.
The following examples describe the types of behavior that would warrant an Early Concern form:
- student who is absent or late for group assignments or hospital duties on numerous occasions
- a student who does not exhibit professional dress or demeanor when seeing patients
- a student who exhibits disrespectful behavior toward members of the health care team or faculty
- a student who does not function adequately as a part of the health care team or as a part of their small group
- a student who is insensitive to the needs, feelings, and wishes of the health care team, patients, or patients' families
- a student who is defensive in accepting criticism or who resists making changes in their professional behavior
The following examples describe the types of infractions that, once submitted, would qualify for immediate notification of the Office of Student Affairs:
- accusations of cheating on any graded activity, including: written exams, practical exams, or clinical skills exams
- accusations of blatant dishonesty or breech of patient confidentiality
- accusations of purposefully compromising patient care
This program will be subject to annual review by the Student Faculty Relations Committee.
If a student has questions regarding an upcoming meeting for an Early Concern issue or about the Early Concern program in general, they should contact the Student Liaison directly. The current Student Liaison is Mary Elizabeth Herring. Dr. Herring may be contacted through the Department of Humanities.
