Summary of LEAC concerns and actions - 7/1/2023 - 9/30/23

During the 2023-2024 academic year, the LEAC committee used a process for reviewing and addressing reports received by the LEAC committee. The committee categorizes learning environment concerns into five categories:

A: Mistreatment or unprofessional behaviors were reviewed, and found egregious.

B: Mistreatment or unprofessional behaviors were reviewed and found not egregious.

C: Mistreatment or unprofessional behaviors were not found.

D: Insufficient information to follow up on the incident.

E: Unprofessional behaviors that are not a learning environment violation were reported.

For July 1, 2023 – September 30, 2023, the LEAC committee reviewed and acted on concerns received through ONE 45 or BEACON. The summary of concerns includes 0 Category A concerns, 2 Category B concerns, 0 Category C concerns, 2 Category D concerns, and 0 Category E concerns. The learning environment where the concerns occurred included: clinical rotations or clinical skill instruction in Pediatrics (1) and Radiology (1), and two concerns which occurred outside the classroom or clinical learning environments.

LEAC meetings were held in August and September during the quarter. No meeting was held in July due to vacations and no new concerns being reported.

1. One concern related to content which occurred in class group chats. Drs. Knight and Gonzalo met on several occasions with involved student (s) about the content of group chats needing to reflect only information and not humor as humor means different things to different people. It was emphasized that the group chat does not reflect the policy, procedures, or beliefs of VTCSOM. The student (s) involved showed insight and awareness related to appropriateness of content.

2. One concern was about an observed interaction with a faculty member and staff member. This behavior was felt to be demeaning to the staff member. The faculty member was counselled by Dr. Gonzalo that the “banter” may not be interpreted as such by the staff member. The faculty member showed insight and awareness.

3. One concern was reported did not relate to medical student involvement and was strictly related to a departmental action. The described occurrence was determined to be best addressed by departmental leadership.

4. One concern related to the amount, content, and demeanor of asking questions of a student by a faculty member. The faculty member was spoken to by Dr. Criss. He/she did not recall a specific encounter that was consistent with what was described though stated he/she would want to know in the moment and would do everything to promote a good learning environment.