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Standards of Treatment

Behaviors that constitute mistreatment and other undo negative influence are unacceptable, and allegations and complaints of mistreatment will be addressed accordingly. Allegations will be fully investigated, and if they are found to be true, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken to address the unacceptable behavior.

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), which accredits allopathic medical schools in the United States and Canada, has developed a standard that all medical schools must address in establishing the learning environment. LCME Standard 3.5 states:

“A medical school ensures that the learning environment of its medical education program is conducive to the ongoing development of explicit and appropriate professional behaviors in its medical students, faculty, and staff at all locations and is one in which all individuals are treated with respect. The medical school and its clinical affiliates share the responsibility for periodic evaluation of the learning environment in order to identify positive and negative influences on the maintenance of professional standards, develop and conduct appropriate strategies to enhance positive and mitigate negative influences, and identify and promptly correct violations of professional standards.”

To achieve a healthy learning environment, the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine has established the Learning Environment Advocacy Committee (LEAC), which is charged with promoting a learning environment that best supports our students in every educational setting they encounter.

How Can Mistreatment and Unprofessional Behavior Be Reported?

Documentation of mistreatment, unprofessional behavior, or other concerns may be submitted through several mechanisms:

  • Through One45,  an evaluation system for students, which goes to the senior associate dean for medical education in phase 1 and the assistant dean for clinical science years 3 and 4 in phase 2;
  • Through The BEACON, which goes to the vice dean; or
  • Submit directly to a member of the Learning Environment Advocacy Committee or any member of the dean's leadership team in person, by email, or by phone.