Contents
- Section 1: Community of practice model
- Section 2: Learning objectives, course outlines and assessments
- Section 3: Process
- Section 4a: Professionalism and confidentiality
- Section 4b: Social media usage guidelines
- Section 5: Student responsibilities before patient care rotation
- Section 6: Student responsibilities during patient care rotation
Students must take responsibility for acting professionally and demonstrate this in all interactions, behaviours and attitudes, in accordance with required standards.
All professionals have a collective professional duty to ensure appropriate professional behaviour, particularly in matters of privacy and confidentiality.
Consistent with University Policy 33 — Ethical Behaviour and University Policy 71 — Student Discipline, all professional activities and interactions must be characterized by honesty, integrity, conscientiousness, responsibility and reliability.
Recognizing that their involvement in the healthcare system may put them in positions of power with patients and clients, students must not take advantage of this position to advocate for their personal gain, values or beliefs.
Examples of expectations of professionalism
- Appropriate professional and personal conduct (e.g., is punctual, notifies preceptor if unable to arrive on time)
- Respect for colleagues and others (e.g., non-judgmental, displays openness to other's views)
- Recognition of the importance of self-evaluation and lifelong learning (e.g., accepts responsibility and demonstrates accountability without repeated reminders, recognizes limitations and seeks help, goes beyond minimum expectations, shows desire to learn)
Please note: While baseline behaviours are cited explicitly, it is implicit that conduct consistent with a high level of professional behaviour is expected.
Students are expected to be familiar with and to adhere at all times to the policies, standards, guidelines and regulations set out within the following:
- Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) Code of Ethics
- OCP Professional Responsibility in Practice (PDF)
- Federal and provincial statutes and regulations
- Each patient care rotation practice site's corporate, institutional, department or practice documents pertaining to professionalism
Adherence to these standards is mandatory for students and will be assessed throughout each patient care rotation.
Students who anticipate problems in adhering to the policies as required must report promptly to the Experiential Coordinator or delegate.
At the 2-, 4- and 8-week evaluations (or the 4-, 8- and 16-week evaluations for 16-week rotations), the primary preceptor will assess professional behaviours by indicating "meets expectations" or "does not meet expectations" for each of the following expectations of professionalism:
- Accepts responsibility and accountability for own actions and decisions
- Is respectful and cooperative with colleagues and others
- Acknowledges, accepts and applies constructive feedback
- Follows practice site policies and procedures (e.g., dresses in appropriate attire)
- Is punctual and respectful of others' time
Professionalism will be evaluated as follows:
- When the cumulative number of unacceptable evaluations (i.e., "does not meet expectations" responses on the evaluation form) reaches 2, the process below for unacceptable behaviour shall be followed and the steps of progressive disciplinary approach (as outlined in the patient care rotation manual) will be initiated.
- When the cumulative number of unacceptable evaluations (i.e., "does not meet expectations" responses on the evaluation form) reaches 3, a second meeting is arranged, following the progressive disciplinary approach. In addition, an academic penalty, resulting in a 5% reduction in the course grade, will be assigned by the Experiential Coordinator.
- If the cumulative number of unacceptable evaluations (i.e., "does not meet expectations" responses on the evaluation form) reaches 4, or if repeated unacceptable behaviours have not been corrected, then a failing grade is assigned.
A failing grade would result in a delay of graduation, or dismissal from the program.
In addition, unacceptable professional behaviour may be reportable to and merit intervention by the Ontario College of Pharmacists,1 result in disciplinary action for breach of site (institution or practice) policy and/or prosecution, or a lawsuit for damages as a result of a contravention of the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA).2
At the primary preceptor’s discretion, they may contact the Regional Clinical Coordinator to discuss the situation and any remedial action necessary.
A student who exhibits behaviours that do not meet the expectations of professionalism at any point throughout their rotation shall be subject to the progressive disciplinary approach outlined below.
The following outlined process will be followed if such unacceptable behaviour(s) are identified:
- The Regional Clinical Coordinator will meet with the preceptor and student to discuss the situation.
- The Regional Clinical Coordinator will contact the Experiential Coordinator.
- The Experiential Coordinator will review with the student and/or preceptor the situation and enact the progressive disciplinary approach as deemed appropriate.
Additionally, students are expected to behave professionally not only while on their rotations, but also in interactions with School of Pharmacy faculty and staff. At the discretion of the Eexperiential Coordinator, up to 10% can be deducted from the final mark if professional behaviour is not demonstrated.
Termination
If the student feels there is a threat to their personal safety or hardship while at the practice site, the student is contact the Regional Clinical Coordinator and/or Experiential Coordinator immediately. If leaving the practice is in the interest of personal safety, the student must contact Regional Clinical Coordinator and/or Experiential Coordinator as soon as possible. Failure to do so will result in academic consequences.
The
practice
site
will
notify
the
student,
UWaterloo
placement
coordinator
and/or
the
academic
supervisor
if
anyone
at
the
practice
site
has
significant
concerns,
including
but
not
limited
to:
absenteeism,
performance
issues,
inappropriate
interaction
with
clients
and/or
staff,
and/or
actions
that
could
put
the
client
or
practice
site
at
risk
during
an
unpaid
student
placement.
With
respect
to
student
performance
or
behavior
during
the
placement,
if
the
student
does
not
address
these
concerns
within
seven
(7)
days
of
being
notified
about
them,
the
practice
site
may
terminate
the
student
placement.
Notwithstanding
the
statement
above,
the
practice
site
may
terminate
the
student
placement
immediately
and
require
the
student
to
leave
the
facilities
and
grounds
where
student
behavior
or
performance
poses
an
immediate
and
significant
threat
to
the
care,
treatment
or
safety
of
the
practice
site’s
clients/patients.
Upon
termination
of
the
rotation,
the
Instructor
will
request
that
the
preceptor
completes
a
final
assessment.
If
there
is
a
completed
midpoint
assessment
on
record
(termination
occurs
after
Week
4),
then
the
two
assessments
will
form
the
basis
of
the
final
grade,
minus
professionalism
deductions.
If
there
is
no
midpoint
available
(termination
occurs
prior
to
Week
4),
the
completed
assessment
will
stand
alone
as
the
basis
for
the
final
grade,
minus
professionalism
deductions.
The
resulting
grade
percentage
will
be
submitted
to
the
Director
of
UG
Affairs
to
be
uploaded
into
Quest.
Students
may
achieve
greater
than
the
passing
grade
of
70%,
however
professionalism
must
have
been
maintained
throughout
the
rotation
and
practice
hours
must
be
equal
to
or
greater
than
320
to
obtain
credit
for
the
course.
Circumstances
will
be
reviewed
on
a
case-by-case
basis,
recognizing
that
there
is
a
high
likelihood
the
student
will
be
required
to
repeat
the
course.
The University of Waterloo privacy and confidentiality training must be completed before the start of the student’s patient care rotation.
Any digital devices used to facilitate patient care during patient care rotations must be properly encrypted to prevent unauthorized access.
Steps of progressive discipline
Step 1: Verbal warning — Cumulative number of unacceptable professionalism behaviours (i.e., "does not meet expectations" responses on the professionalism evaluation) reaches 2.
- Student will be given a verbal warning regarding the undesirable behaviour or action.
- Student will be given an explanation of when and how the behaviour or action took place. This will include the reason as to why the behaviour or action was unacceptable.
- Student will be given an opportunity to explain the situation and their actions. This should be the student's opportunity to give their side of the story.
- Student will be given a description of the desirable and/or acceptable behaviour or actions.
- Student will be informed that further disciplinary action, up to and including a delay of graduation, or dismissal from the program, will follow if unacceptable behaviour continues.
For example, verbal warnings are given for the following reasons: Not showing up for an appointment or to placement site with no reasonable explanation and first incident of not following proper site policy and procedures.
Step 2: Written warning — Cumulative number of unacceptable professionalism behaviours (i.e., "does not meet expectations" responses on the professionalism evaluation) reaches 3.
- Student will be given a written warning regarding their undesirable behaviour or action in the event that the behaviour or action had either been discussed in a previous verbal warning or the behaviour or action was considerably severe in nature.
- Student will be given an explanation of when and how the undesirable behaviour or action took place. This will include the reason why the behaviour or action was unacceptable.
- Student will be given an opportunity to explain the situation and their actions. This should be the student's opportunity to give their side of the story.
- Student will be given a description of the desirable and/or acceptable behaviour or actions.
- Student will be provided with a copy of the written warning and another will be placed in the student's file.
- Student will sign the document as proof that they have received it.
- Student will be informed that future disciplinary problems will be addressed with further progressive disciplinary actions up to and including a delay of graduation, or dismissal from the program.
- The Associate Director, Clinical Education will be notified of this meeting and its outcome.
- In addition, there will be an assignment of an academic penalty by the course coordinator or delegate.
For example, written warnings are given for the following reasons:
- Inappropriate or rude interaction, such as a raised voice, sarcastic comments or impatience, with a colleague, patient or other healthcare professional
- Repetitive lateness or absences with no reasonable explanation
- An incident of verbal abuse to a patient, colleague or other healthcare professional
- Repetitive lack of adherence to site policy and procedures
Step 3: If the cumulative number of unacceptable evaluations (i.e., "does not meet expectations" responses) reaches 4 then a failing grade is assigned.
- Student will be given written documentation regarding their course grade and the undesirable behaviour or action leading to and justifying the assessment.
- Documentation should include information on the offence and previous disciplinary communications with the student.
- Student will be given a description of when and how the unacceptable behaviour or action took place. This will include the reason why the behaviour or action was unacceptable.
- Student will be given a copy description of the desirable and/or acceptable behaviour or actions and notice and allegations will be put forward as outlined in University Policy 71 — Student Discipline.
Academic and non-academic offences as outlined in University Policy 33 — Ethical Behaviour will follow the disciplinary procedures outlined.
-----------------------------------
1
Mandatory
Reporting:
Regulated
Health
Professions
Act,
1991
(PDF).
2
Government
of
Ontario,
Personal
Health
Information
Protection
Act,
2004,
S.O.
2004,
c.
3,
Schedule
A.
Section 3: Process | Section 4b: Social media usage guidelines