Office of Student Affairs Keck School of Medicine Policies and Procedures August 16, 2011 Donna Elliott, MD, EdD

Office of Student Affairs

Keck School of MedicinePolicies and Procedures

August 16, 2011Donna Elliott, MD, EdD


Student Handbook

• All KSOM policies and procedures• Posted on medweb• Students access the information as needed



USC Policies• SCampus• University Policy on Accommodations for Students with

Disabilities• University Policy on Obligation for Payment • University Policy on Time Limit for Degree Completion – Satisfactory Academic Progress

• University Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs– No alcohol in educational spaces– All alcohol that is served/consumed on campus must

come from hospitality services


Center for Academic SupportDisability services

• Located on the University Park Campus• (213) 740-8205 or [email protected]• Submit documentation to the UPC office to

request accommodations• Can submit in person, online or via email• Letter of approved accommodations will be

providedSubmit to curriculum for exam day accommodationsSubmit to OSA for any other accommodations.


Alcohol and Medical Students• Students will consume alcohol• Designated drivers are essential – DUIs – Medical licensure and CBCs

• Professional image is important– Do not post photos of you intoxicated – Do not sign emails to the listserve “still drunk”

• Must adhere to the USC policies in all settings– Tailgates and football games


Academic Policies


Expectations• We expect that all of our students will be

outstanding physicians• We recognize that being an outstanding physician

does not imply perfect written exam performance• Excellence depends on:– Ability to work with others– Balanced attention to professional and personal growth– Dedication, perseverance, dependability– Academic performance


Examinations• Practice Exams– Weeks 3 and 6– We will contact you if we are concerned

• Competency Exams (core, skin, heme, neuro, MSK)– 70% is passing

• Comprehensive Exam (end of Year I)• Work to your maximal capacity

• Not just about grades/scores• About USMLE step 1• About patient care


Competency ExamsExam performance Transcript Grade

Top Score in the class PBarely passing (70%) PDid not pass on the first

attempt, but passed themakeup exam P

Did not pass the makeup F


When do scores count?• Alpha Omega Alpha National Honor Society – This is essentially

the "Phi Beta Kappa” of medical school– Awarded in the summer before year IV– System (30%) and Comprehensive (70%) exam scores– Year III clerkship grades– Top 25% of the class is eligible; 16% can be elected

• Deans Recognition - Students who distinguish themselves in their academic coursework and in the development of their professional skills and attitudes– Approximately 15 % of the class– At the end of each of Year I and Year II criteria will include:

• Comprehensive examination performance at or above the mean without make-up examinations

• Noteworthy professional development in ICM and/or PPM.• Outside Activities that meet standards set for Dean’s Recognition.• Additional accomplishments as deemed appropriate by the Dean’s

Recognition Committee


Examination Policies• Arrive on time• Code of Professional Behavior enforced• There should be no discussion between students

(exam and breaks)• Any suspicion of cheating will be reported by a proctor• Once a student begins an examination, it is not

possible to grant an excused absence for that particular examination. The grade for the attempted examination will stand as the final grade.

• The Curriculum Office will distribute grades and will notify any students who did not pass an exam


Examination Policies• Makeup Exams

– If you do not initially pass an exam you will take a makeup exam• If this is a one time occurrence it will not show up on your transcript• NO NEED TO CHEAT

• Late Exams– Dr. Yacoob or Elliott must be contacted either in person or via email or

phone prior to the start of the exam• Acceptable reasons for late exams

– Major illness– Catastrophic event

• Unacceptable reason for late exams– “Not ready to take the examination”– Weddings, travel, etc.

• Examinations are NEVER given early• Only the Associate Dean or Assistant Dean for Student Affairs

may grant approval for examination delay


Requirements for Passing Year I• Pass all system exams• Pass comprehensive exam• Pass ICM• Pass PPM• Complete Library/Evidence-based medicine

Project


Reasons for Academic Difficulty• Underestimate the difficulty of the exam– Study more and more effectively, Jane Rosenthal

• Out of school for a period of time– Office of Student Affairs, Jane Rosenthal, tutoring

• Not a science major– Practice exams– MSP tutors, Jane Rosenthal, tutoring

• Personal issues outside of school – Family, Relationships, Health– Office of Student Affairs, ICM and PPM faculty, Eric Cohen

Health Center (medical or counseling), Peer support services


Take–Home Message• Performance on system exams is relatively

unimportant• The entire class can excel without disadvantaging

any individual• While exam scores are not of paramount

importance, mastery of information is extremely important– Basis for future high stakes exams– Foundation for your medical practice

• Step 1, clinical rotations, residency and beyond


Absence Policies• ICM and PPM are required courses • Absence request forms are required for all absences • Documentation is required– Illness - a note from a physician (who is not a relative)– Other unanticipated absences - documentation verifying

the reason for the absence is required• Any missed session must be made up• Examples of excused absences include: illness, family

illness, death, religious holiday, or making a presentation at a professional conference

• Any unexcused absence may result in that student appearing before the Student Performance Committee


Professionalism Policies


What does it mean to be a medical student?

• Being professional is a series of behaviors, actions, and choices

• Not simply a graduate student– You will hold incredible power and influence over

your patients lives

• We hold you to a higher standard of behavior in your professional and your personal lives


Expectations• We expect that students will be

– Diligent– Honest– Responsible– Constructive– Collegial

• We expect that you will be an honorable member of the Keck School of Medicine community

• Student Handbook– On medweb


Code of Professional Behavior

• Honesty and Integrity • Responsibility, Reliability, and

Accountability • Respect for others (students,

colleagues, faculty, staff, patients)


Examples• Complete evaluations/surveys and complete

them on time• Call faculty and staff by their appropriate names• Support your classmates• Check and respond to emails in a timely manner• Let people know if you will not be present– ICM, PPM, Gross anatomy, research mentor/lab

• Arrive on time to ICM, PPM• Dress appropriately for ICM and PPM when

guests will be present


Communication

• Email is the official form of communication– Check your USC email!! (and respond)– Monitor your email content and format– Can forward your USC email to a gmail account


Social Media• No specific policy• Expectation is that you will be professional– Facebook– Email– Twitter


• Learning Environment Surveys– Required to stay at noon and complete the survey

if not completed on Friday

• Student Handbook acknowledgement– Please sign and return the acknowledgement

before leaving the auditorium today

• Orientation activities – week 1– Disappointed with attendance


Questions?

Documents

Office of Student Affairs Keck School of Medicine Policies and Procedures August 16, 2011 Donna Elliott, MD, EdD