Professional Behavior
The College of Medicine expects all medical students to be professional in their dealings with patients, colleagues, faculty and staff and to exhibit caring and compassionate attitudes. These and other qualities will be evaluated during patient contacts and in other relevant settings by both faculty and peers. Professional behavior is defined as behavior appropriate to the circumstance. Behavior of a medical student reflects on a student's qualification and potential to become a competent physician. ATTITUDES OR BEHAVIORS INCONSISTENT WITH COMPASSIONATE CARE; REFUSAL BY, OR INABILITY OF, THE STUDENT TO PARTICIPATE CONSTRUCTIVELY IN LEARNING OR PATIENT CARE; DEROGATORY ATTITUDES OR INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIORS DIRECTED AT PATIENTS, PEERS, FACULTY OR STAFF; MISUSE OF WRITTEN OR ELECTRONIC PATIENT RECORDS (I.E. ACCESSION OF PATIENT INFORMATION WITHOUT VALID REASON); SUBSTANCE ABUSE; FAILURE TO DISCLOSE PERTINENT INFORMATION ON A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK; OR OTHER UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT CAN BE GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL. DISMISSAL FROM THE COLLEGE OF MEDICINE FOR UNPROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR MAY, SUBSEQUENTLY, JEOPARDIZE THE STUDENT’S ELIGIBILITY FOR ADMISSION TO ANY OTHER COLLEGE IN THE UNIVERSITY. Refer to Table I for specific criteria that serve as the standards for a student's professional behavior.
Ethical and professional behaviors are the foundation of medicine. The College of Medicine requires each entering class to create and agree to its code of ethics. The Dean does not matriculate the class until each class member has signed their code of ethics.
During the four years of medical school, development of professional behavior is monitored by both the faculty and the students. Faculty and peer evaluation of student adherence to the class code of ethics also is monitored. Formative peer evaluation of professional competence is obtained during the first three years. Summative peer evaluation of professional competence is obtained following completion of the second and third years. The possibility of dismissal based on peer evaluation of ethical and professional behavior will apply to the Class of 2006 and subsequent classes.
In conferring the M.D. degree, the University of Florida certifies that the student is competent to undertake a career as a Doctor of Medicine. It also certifies that, in addition to competency in medical knowledge and skills, the graduate possesses those personal traits essential to the profession of medicine as judged by the faculty, residents and the student's peers.
United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE)
All students are required to take Steps 1 and 2 of the USMLE before graduation. Passing Step 1 is a requirement for promotion to the third year of medical school. All students must take USMLE Step 1 by July 1st following the completion of their second year.
Location: http://medinfo.ufl.edu/oea/osa/pp_professional_behavior.shtml