You've worked hard to get to medical school. From top grades in college to internships and months of preparation for medical school entrance exams, you've already dedicated thousands of hours to your education before you even get to medical school. But the high stakes continue once you're in the med school of your dreams. As a result, many people head off to the Caribbean for medical school. There are many advantages to living in the surf and sun, including lower tuition costs and a laid-back island atmosphere. Some of the most popular Caribbean medical schools include:
- St. George's University in Grenada
- Ross University in Barbados
- American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in St. Maarten
- Saba University School of Medicine in Saba
- American University of Antigua College of Medicine in Antigua, St. John's, and Barbuda
- All Saints University School of Medicine in Dominica
- The University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Saint Kitts
- Trinity Medical Sciences University in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Xavier School of Medicine in Aruba
- St. Matthew's University in the Cayman Islands
- Ross University School of Medicine in Barbados
But even med students in paradise face some of the same challenges as medical students in the U.S., including meeting medical school clinical hours requirements. The first few years of medical school are difficult academically. But by the time you reach your third and fourth year, you'll also be juggling clinical courses while simultaneously studying for traditional academic classes. You'll be required to complete and document hundreds of hours of clinical coursework that may happen in various locations, including in your medical school, clinics, hospitals, or doctor's offices around the area. So, if you're accused of falsifying those clinical hours, it can be devastating and have serious consequences at school and in your future career. But you don't have to deal with this on your own. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the skilled national Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm can help. Call the firm at 888-535-3686 to schedule your consultation.
Falsifying Pre-Med Clinical Hours
Gaining admission to medical school is difficult, even for the most brilliant students. These days, having excellent grades, research experience, and top test scores is not enough to get into medical school. Many schools expect you to complete anywhere from 100 to 200 clinical hours, also called shadowing, before even applying. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), shadowing can help future medical students gain valuable insight into medicine, help students gain empathy, become service-oriented, and demonstrate responsibility to others. So, having many hours of shadowing can give you an edge in the medical college application process.
However, shadowing hours can be more challenging to document, especially if you completed volunteer hours throughout several years of college. Sometimes, students are accused of falsifying these pre-med clinical hours if the med school cannot verify your documentation, and the consequences can be serious.
- If the med school discovers that you have falsified clinical hours before you begin classes, they may withdraw your offer of admission.
- If the med school discovers falsified clinical hours after you've started classes, they may withdraw you from school and require that you leave, withdrawing your offer of admission.
- If the med school discovers falsified hours after granting your degree, they can revoke your medical school diploma.
Medical School Clinical Hours Requirements
The AAMC Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) publishes standards that all medical schools must meet for accreditation. If you attend a Caribbean school accredited by the AAMC, your medical school must follow these standards. As part of these standards, the AAMC and similar organizations accrediting foreign medical schools require that all medical schools have a central oversight system that monitors medical completion of clinical hours in their programs and remedies any gaps. Many accrediting agencies meet the same standards, including those in place at Bahamian medical schools.
For example, St. George's University in Grenada is accredited by the U.S. National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA), which gives its students access to clinical rotations and the U.S. National Residency Matching Program, as well as access to pursuing a U.S. medical license. St. George's requires 80 weeks of clinical curriculum, including 42 weeks of core rotations, 12 to 14 weeks of additional required rotations, and 22 to 24 weeks of elective clinical rotations. Students must complete these clinical rotations before completing any sub-internships in specialty areas of medicine. The Office of Clinical Rotation Operations manages the scheduling in concert with the affiliated hospitals where clinical courses occur. St. George's attendance policy states:
Students are expected to attend all classes and clinical rotations for which they have registered. Although attendance may not be recorded at every academic activity, attendance may be taken randomly.
Students' absence may adversely affect their academic status as specified in the grading policy.
Accusations of Falsifying Clinical Hours
If the schools and hospitals inaccurately monitor and record clinical hours, they can risk their accreditation. As a result, many medical schools rely on student certification for their clinical hours. However, it can have serious consequences if you're accused of falsifying these certifications. You could face suspension or expulsion from school. If you've progressed to an internship or residency, you could face removal from those programs or revocation of your medical degree. As a result, you could lose your medical license or be unable to obtain a license in the future.
Falsifying Clinical Hours and Academic Dishonesty
At many Caribbean medical schools, as well as those in the U.S., falsifying clinical rotation hours violates the student code of conduct and is classified as academic dishonesty. For example, the University of Medicine and Health Sciences at St. Kitts follows the American Medical Student Association's (AMSA) Code of Ethics and includes it in the school's Student Handbook. Under the AMSA Code of Ethics, disciplinary action, whether formal or informal, can be brought against a student whenever they violate a med school's written standards of conduct. St. Kitts' student code of conduct includes an honor code that requires honesty and ethical conduct in all students. You may face an academic dishonesty charge if the school believes you've falsified your clinical hours.
Disciplinary Procedures for Falsifying Clinical Hours
The disciplinary and hearing procedures for accusations of falsifying clinical hours will vary at each medical school in the Caribbean, but many are similar or follow similar procedures. For example, at the University of Medicine and Health Sciences in St. Kitts, disciplinary matters are handled through a grievance committee process:
If student behavior necessitates disciplinary action, students may be suspended or dismissed by the dean. Students have a right to appear before the grievance committee on issues that give rise to disciplinary action. The committee makes a final determination and provides their recommendation to the dean. This may occur due to academic or non-academic violations, including criminal action or failure to meet academic or ethical standards.
Suspended or dismissed students will receive written notification of the reason for such action. Suspended students will be informed of any available options for reinstatement. Dismissal decisions may be appealed. Suspensions or dismissals may affect student aid.
Under the AMSA guidelines, medical schools, including those in the Caribbean, should follow formal notice and hearing procedures for serious academic and non-academic rule violations, including academic dishonesty and clinical hours falsification allegations. The formal notice should, at a minimum:
- List the exact charges, regulations, codes, or bylaws allegedly violated, along with the specifics of the allegations against you;
- Outline actions that the school will take if the charges against you are substantiated;
- Identify all adverse witnesses and the facts they'll present if you request it;
- Inform you of your right to an impartial and objective hearing;
- Inform you of your right to appeal any hearing and in a court of law;
- Inform you of your right to have an advisor or legal counsel at every stage of the proceedings;
- Inform you of your right not to self-incriminate;
- Notify you of the time, place, and location of the hearing;
- Allow you the right to request a reasonable postponement of the hearing for good cause; and
- Provide a copy of the school's due process procedures, hearing procedures, code of conduct, formal hearing process, and policy regarding student records.
At the hearing, you'll have the right to:
- Present a defense,
- Cross-examine witnesses and challenge evidence,
- Introduce witnesses, and
- Challenge the fairness of any rule or code you're accused of violating.
Ultimately, the burden of proving the allegations will rest with the school or the party bringing the charges. Moreover, the final hearing decision must be based on evidence introduced in your hearing.
If you're facing an accusation of falsifying your clinical hours, you must refer to your medical school's most recent copy of the Student Code of Conduct and Honor Code. The school will list its grievance, hearing, and appeal procedures and any rights you have. Because the process can be challenging, it's essential that you contact attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the experienced Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm right away. They can ensure that your medical school isn't violating its procedures or your rights under university policies.
Medical School Review Board Appeal
Most Caribbean medical schools will allow you to appeal any adverse decision of a medical school review board or dean, including those related to allegedly falsifying your clinical hours. However, you will have a limited amount of time to serve your appeal, and the scope of your appeal may be limited to only those matters or evidence introduced at your original disciplinary hearing.
Moreover, schools must follow their stated policies and procedures related to disciplinary matters. If they fail to do so, you may have grounds for appeal. For schools that incorporate the AMSA guidelines, they state the AMSA:
BELIEVES that proceedings can be initiated against a student only when the charge concerns a violation of written standard of conduct. The expulsion or suspension of a student for academic reasons is without justification where the school has not, early in the course of instruction, clarified in writing those standards of academic performance and behavior that it considers essential to the integrity of its educational mission (i.e., passing). Students close to academic termination should be so advised, well in advance, drawing attention to the specific deficiencies[….]
Under AMSA guidelines, you have the “right to a written statement of any decision and the grounds upon which it is based.” At the time of the decision, the school should also advise you again of your right to appeal and the appeals process for your school, including any time limitations.
It's important to understand that sometimes information about hearing procedures and appeals at Caribbean medical schools can be more challenging to obtain online. Many Caribbean med school websites refer vaguely to hearing and appeals guidelines in handbooks that are unavailable online. That's why you need the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm on your side. Attorney-advisor Joseph Lento and his skilled team are well-versed in handling medical school disciplinary issues across the U.S. and the Caribbean. They can ensure you know your rights and help preserve your right to appeal any medical school review board decision if necessary.
You Need an Experienced Attorney-Advisor
If you're facing allegations that you've falsified your clinical rotation hours at a Caribbean medical school, the consequences can be just as serious as in the U.S. You could face suspension, expulsion, and loss of your medical degree and licensee. But attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the nationwide Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm can help. They've been helping college and medical students across the U.S. and in the Bahamas with disciplinary issues for years. Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or contact them online to schedule your consultation.
