Unsatisfactory Performance and/or Unprofessional Behavior
If a student receives an unsatisfactory competency evaluation and/or receives a grade of less than "C" during the first and second year courses, or has an unsatisfactory competency evaluation and/or a grade of less than "B" during the third and fourth year clerkships/electives, it is the student's responsibility to meet with the course or clerkship director to discuss his/her performance. Students must meet with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and their academic performance will also be reviewed by the Academic Status Committee. An unsatisfactory competency evaluation will take precedence over the final course grade in determining a student’s readiness for promotion or graduation.
Remediation
- Unsatisfactory Competency Evaluation or an Unsatisfactory Letter Grade
A grade of D requires remediation of the coursework, as may an unsatisfactory competency evaluation. Remediation requirements will be proposed by the appropriate course or clerkship director and must be approved by the Academic Status Committee. Remediation may not begin until the plan for remedial work is approved by the Committee and must be completed within the specified time frame. Approved remediation must result in a passing grade and/or a satisfactory competency evaluation.
A grade of E and/or, in some instances, an unsatisfactory competency evaluation indicates that the student performed at a level requiring such a substantial degree of remediation that repeating the entire course will usually be recommended by the course or clerkship director. Repeated course work must result in a passing grade and/or in satisfactory achievement of course competencies. Failure to meet these requirements may result in dismissal.
- Unprofessional Behavior
If there is a determination by the ASC that unprofessional (disruptive) behavior was demonstrated by a student, the following steps may be taken: Depending on the severity of the behavior, the student may be warned in writing that the behavior is unacceptable and that if the behavior is continued, it may lead to their dismissal from medical school. Such a letter will provide examples about what is or is not acceptable, and may encourage the student to seek professional help from an appropriate resource. The letter may state that counseling, therapy and anger management sessions may be considered as options. SOME TYPES OF BEHAVIOR MAY BE SO EGREGIOUS AS TO JUSTIFY IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL OF A STUDENT. SUCH BEHAVIOR MIGHT INCLUDE CRIMINAL ACTS OR PERSISTENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE.
If there is a second documented case of unprofessional behavior, the student may be placed on probation. The student will be encouraged to seek professional help and will be warned that, if such behavior occurs again, it may lead to dismissal from medical school. If there is documentation that the unprofessional behavior occurs for a third time, the student must appear before the ASC to address why he/she should not be dismissed from medical school.
- USMLE Steps 1 and 2
If a student fails to pass USMLE Step 1 on their first attempt then the student must petition the ASC in writing within 7 days of receiving notification of failure for permission to repeat the examination. The petition must include a specific study plan that has been developed in consultation with the Associate Dean for Medical Education. A student who has failed USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt must retake Step 1 by October 1st of that year. The student may request a leave of absence or enrollment in a special study elective that must be approved by the Associate Dean for Medical Education or the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. Alternatively, if a student does not receive notification of failure until after they have started their first clerkship, they can request permission to complete the clerkship. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES CAN A STUDENT ADVANCE BEYOND THE THIRD CLERKSHIP UNTIL USMLE STEP 1 IS PASSED.
If a passing score is not received on the second taking of USMLE Step 1, the student must appear before the ASC to request permission for a leave of absence; plans for preparing to retake USMLE Step 1 must be part of the presentation. A student must register for a third attempt to pass USMLE Step 1 by May 1st of the year following completion of their second year. If a student does not pass USMLE Step 1 on the third attempt, the student may be dismissed. All students are required to take USMLE Step 2 following completion of the required clinical clerkships. Students must take USMLE Step 2 by March 1st of their final academic year. Students who do not take the examination by this date will not be eligible for graduation.
- Performance-Based Examinations (PBEs)
Students who do not perform satisfactorily on the PBEs will be offered remediation prior to reevaluation. Unsuccessful performance following initial remediation may result in a requirement to repeat a portion of the curriculum or may result in dismissal.
Location: http://medinfo.ufl.edu/oea/osa/pp_unsat_unprof_behavior.shtml