Have I been mistreated?

If you are the subject of mistreatment or observe mistreatment of another individual, you should speak to someone that you trust. This person could be a friend, a family member, a fellow learner, a supervisor, the coordinator of your rotation or the Clerkship/Program Director. You may also decide to speak to the person whom you see as responsible for the mistreatment. The Office of Student and Resident Affairs is here to assist you through this potentially difficult time. You are encouraged to contact these Offices at any time during the process of dealing with the mistreatment episode. The Assistant Deans’ role at these Offices is to act as your advocate to assist you through the lodging and processing of the complaint. This is a confidential process that has no impact on your academic evaluation. Although you are encouraged to use the services of the Offices of Student and Resident Affairs, you also have the option to directly contact the University, Hospital Ombudsperson, Hospital Director of Professional Services (DPS) or the Commissioner of Complaints and Quality of Services at the institution where the incident occurred. When the complaint concerns a medical service, it will be forwarded from the Commissioner to the Medical Examiner of the institution. If appropriate, attempts will be made to reach an informal resolution and the complainant will be notified of any outcomes.

For more information:

learner_mistreatment.pdf

If the complainant is not satisfied with the informal outcome then they have the choice to file a formal complaint with the Offices of Student and Resident Affairs. These Offices will be responsible for directing the complaint to the appropriate individual(s) responsible for investigating the complaint. Once a formal complaint is lodged, the respondent must be advised in writing of the complaint. The Offices of Student and Resident Affairs have the following options in directing the complaint. Depending on the nature of the complaint, there may be the need to use one or all of the following options: i) If the complaint involves a Medical Student and a teacher, a Medical Student and another Medical Student, the Undergraduate Associate Dean will investigate the complaint. If the complaint involves a Resident and a teacher, a Resident and another Resident, the Postgraduate Associate Dean will investigate the complaint. If the complaint involves a Medical Student and a Resident, the Undergraduate and Postgraduate Associate Deans will conjointly investigate the complaint. If a resolution can be reached both the complainant and the respondent will be notified in writing. In the case involving a teaching member of the Faculty where an informal resolution cannot be reached, the complaint and any evidence collected in relation to the complaint is forwarded to the Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs. Subsequently, a Formal Disciplinary Hearing will be scheduled. The complainant and the respondent are notified within 60 days of the findings of this hearing. ii) If the complaint involves a medical service within an institution outside the University, the complaint may be forwarded to the Local Commissioner of Complaints and Quality of Services. The complainant and the respondent will be provided with a response within 45 days. iii) If the complainant chooses to file with a University Assessor outside of the Faculty of Medicine, the complaint will be treated in accordance with the University Policies. A response will be provided to the complainant and the respondent within 30 days. (http://www.mcgill.ca/secretariat/policies/index/h-n/)

For more information:

learner_mistreatment.pdf

The McGill Mental Health Services and the McGill Counselling Services both located in the Brown Building on the lower campus provide excellent services free of charge for residents. If you would like to go outside of McGill University, you may also contact private psychologists. Click here for more information.

The Faculty of Medicine of McGill University is committed to promoting and maintaining the highest standards of behaviour in all of its members in order to provide a healthy and safe learning environment and to better serve society. This document is designed to clearly outline acceptable conduct and standards of Professionalism that is expected of all members of the Faculty of Medicine.

code_of_conduct.pdf

Code of Conduct 

The Faculty of Medicine of McGill University is committed to promoting and maintaining the highest standards of behaviour in all of its members in order to provide a healthy and safe learning environment and to better serve society. This document is designed to clearly outline acceptable conduct and standards of Professionalism that is expected of all members of the Faculty of Medicine.

professionalism_pamphlet.pdf

The Physician Charter on Medical Professionalism

This charter was developed by members of the Medical Professionalism Project (ABIM Foundation) that consists of three fundamental principles including a set of commitments that students and residents alike should strive to incorporate into their education, training, and eventual practice.

McGill Student Rights and Responsibilities Hand Book

This Handbook is a compendium of regulations and policies governing student rights and responsibilities at McGill University.

Several legal resources are available to students and residents. Click here for more information.

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