Primacy of Patient Care and the Educational Imperative

Caring for the needs of our patients, and offering medical care to the best of our ability, supersedes other concerns.  Nothing in this policy shall undermine the primacy of this obligation.   We also seek to foster a supportive, responsible, fair and professional atmosphere conducive to learning. These goals can and should be, in practically all circumstances, mutually supportive.   Furthermore, these goals represent an amplification of the University of California Statement of Ethical Values and an extension of the University of California Standards of Ethical Conduct.

Desired Standard of Conduct

Our UC Davis community cultivates a learning environment free of harassment, intimidation, disrespect, exploitation, and abuse. For ourselves and those around us, we strive for personal and professional excellence. We recognize our interdependent obligation to create supportive conditions, which foster such excellence. We shall treat one another with kindness, honesty, fairness and respect. The charged, life-and-death issues, which we confront in modern healthcare, can sometimes test our commitment to such behavioral standards. Educational and healthcare professionalism demands our best efforts. In educational activities and in conducting the academic dialectic, we weigh competing ideas, don't always agree with one another, and are expected to provide honest feedback regarding performance. We understand the sensitivity of such processes. Real or perceived ridicule/reprisal can seriously undermine the effort, and in some cases extinguish the fragile light of inquiry, innovation, and creativity. We commit to standards of civilized behavior and dialogue which encourage the best efforts of all involved.

UC Davis Health System Policy on Mistreatment

The members of the UC Davis Health System (includes the hospital, clinics, School of Medicine and all other supporting structures and their personnel) community are dedicated to creating and sustaining a community of healthcare professionals in which every member is encouraged and empowered to exercise his/her right to participate in a respectful and abuse-free work environment.  The UC Davis Health System will not tolerate the mistreatment of any member of its healthcare community.  Mistreatment is defined as showing a lack of respect or acting in an abusive manner toward another individual.

This policy is intended to be read as consistent and in concert with other UC Davis policies regarding community (http://principles.ucdavis.edu/), violence, harassment, and discrimination in the workplace.  The policy outlines the policy and procedures for reporting faculty, student, and staff mistreatment within the health system.

UC Davis Health System Policy Website: http://intranet.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/policies/hospital_policies_and_procedures/personnel/2917.shtml

Reporting Mistreatment:  http://intranet.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/ucdhs/onthejobresources/mistreatment.shtml

University Policy on Nondiscrimination and Sexual Harassment

The University of California, in accordance with applicable Federal and State law and university policy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), disability, age, medical condition (cancer-related), ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran. The university also prohibits sexual harassment. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access, and treatment in university programs and activities.

UC Davis Websitehttp://sja.ucdavis.edu/nondiscrimination.html

UC Davis Policies on Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is prohibited by law and University policy. UC Davis has established complaint resolution procedures for students to use if they have concerns or complaints regarding suspected sexual harassment.

UC Davis Website:  http://sja.ucdavis.edu/sexual-harassment.html

The UC Davis policy provides the primary procedures for students, faculty, staff, or others to report allegations of sexual harassment, and procedures for responding to such reports. While there are other complaint resolution and grievance procedures through which sexual harassment complaints may be made, this section takes precedence over any other available procedures.

Reporting Sexual Harassment

Grievance Procedures for Students

Students having questions or concerns about suspected arbitrary treatment, discrimination or harassment based on prohibited bias may seek informal assistance or file a formal grievance may be made against individual students, student organizations, staff, or faculty, or about a university policy, procedure, practice, or department. The student should provide a written statement of the concerns to the head of the department involved. If unsatisfied with the response, the student may contact Student Judicial Affairs for information and assistance regarding available informal and formal grievance processes

Grievance Procedures:  http://sja.ucdavis.edu/grievance-procedures.html