Professionalism Issues – Duke University School of Medicine

While the focus of much of the education provided by the Duke University School of Medicine is on the science and mechanics of diagnosing and treating patients, the concept of “professionalism” is woven through much of the educational process. As with other medical schools, Duke’s School of Medicine is concerned about how their students comport themselves while they are at Duke, with the idea that what they learn in medical school will influence their future actions as physicians.

Professionalism is, of course, a worthy focus for any medical school. Sometimes, however, the concepts used to define it are very broad and general – and can be interpreted in a number of different ways. When this happens, the result can be an inconsistent and unfair application of the School of Medicine’s professionalism standards. If you are a student at Duke’s School of Medicine and have been accused of unprofessional conduct, the LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team can help you defend yourself and your future. Use our contact form to get in touch with us, or give us a call at 888.535.3686, and we’ll schedule a confidential consultation to learn more about your case and to explain how we can help.

The Meaning of Professionalism at the Duke University School of Medicine

The Duke University School of Medicine has a “Code of Professional Conduct” that it expects its students to follow. The Code describes both “desirable” and “undesirable” behaviors “in the professional setting.”

Desirable behaviors include many that you might expect to see promoted in any medical school, such as:

• Intellectual integrity and honesty

• Kindness and Empathy

• Collaboration and Teamwork

• Consideration of feedback in a respectful manner

It is easy to see how different people may have different views on these. For example, whether a student is exhibiting “kindness” in a particular situation, or whether they are “collaborating” well with other students, is not always going to be something that everybody will agree on.

The same thing applies to the “undesirable” behaviors. The Code of Professional Conduct includes some that can be interpreted differently depending on the point of view of the person doing the evaluation. This is where things can get difficult. For example, some of the “undesirable” behaviors listed in the Code are:

• Bullying and disrespectful behavior

• Acting in a dismissive way or getting defensive about feedback

• Engaging in a “nonprofessional relationship” with a patient or patient family member, or with a co-worker or school faculty member

• “Discriminating on the basis of group characteristics”

These behaviors can be open to different interpretations as well. One person’s assertiveness may be another person’s bullying. And when does acting in a friendly manner towards a patient, family member, co-worker, or faculty member cross the line and become a “nonprofessional relationship”?

There is more. The Code also requires students accused of a “civil offense” to report it to the MD program’s Vice Dean for Education. The Code goes on to explain that any “civil action” – in other words, a lawsuit brought against the student for any reason – must be reported within 3 business days. If it’s determined that the behavior described in the lawsuit “could be detrimental to the safety or Well-Being” of the school community or patients, the school can “immediately remove” the accused student from the school. The same reporting requirements and potential consequences apply to any criminal charges a student may face. 

Finally, the Code leaves itself open to other claims of unprofessionalism beyond the ones it lists, noting that they are “representative and not exhaustive.” This can pave the way for a medical student to be accused of unprofessional behavior for conduct that is not specifically described in the Code.

Reporting Unprofessional Conduct at Duke’s School of Medicine

There are various ways to report allegedly unprofessional conduct at the medical school. In some cases, reports can be made anonymously or through a university ombudsperson who can help keep the identity of the reporting student confidential. The Code notes that the individual programs operated by the School of Medicine will handle “students’ lapses in professionalism” according to their “specific program policies and procedures.”

This means that there are a number of ways that a student can be reported to the university for professional misconduct. The Code points out that students who want to report another student can “report to their advisors,” who may then direct the student to a particular reporting option. In some cases, the Code notes, “conversation with a faculty or staff member is sufficient to prompt action.” The Code goes on to note that failing to report “witnessed violations” of the Code can also “be construed as a lack of professionalism.”

The LLF National Law Firm Can Help You Resolve Professionalism Issues

The Duke University School of Medicine is one of the top medical schools in the country, and as with all medical schools, it makes sense that the school expects its students to act in a professional manner. That said, some of the standards that Duke applies to the concept of professionalism can vary depending on the individual who is making the allegation that a student acted unprofessionally.

And because Duke has a wide range of options available when it comes to disciplining medical students – including requiring them to leave the program entirely – it is vitally important that you take active steps to defend yourself if you have been accused of unprofessional behavior by anyone in the school community. You similarly need to protect yourself if you have been sued for any reason or have been arrested, since the medical school may force you to leave the program at least until your legal matter is resolved if the school believes the allegations mean your alleged conduct could be “detrimental” to the school.

The LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team is here to help you take the steps you need to protect your rights and defend against unprofessionalism allegations. Our attorneys regularly help student clients at medical and other professional schools all across the country who have been accused of various forms of misconduct. We know the school policies and procedures that apply in these kinds of cases, and we also know that you have rights that must be respected throughout the entire disciplinary process. We are here to fight for your rights and to defend you when you’ve been accused of unprofessional conduct or any other type of misconduct.

Contact the LLF Law Firm’s Student Defense Team today at 888.535.3686, or by filling out and submitting our online contact form. We will schedule a confidential consultation where you can tell us about the allegations you are facing, and we can explain how we are ready to help.