Being a Student at the University of Saskatchewan
The Mission of the University of Saskatchewan is to achieve excellence in the scholarly activities of teaching, discovering, preserving and applying knowledge. The pursuit of this Mission requires an adherence to high standards of honesty, integrity, diversity, equity, fairness, respect for human dignity, freedom of expression, opinion and belief, and the independence to engage in the open pursuit of knowledge. The achievement of the Mission of the University also requires a positive and productive living, working and learning environment characterized by an atmosphere of peace, civility, security and safety.” Every student at the University of Saskatchewan is obligated to adhere to the Student Non-academic Misconduct Regulations.
Being a Master of Physician Assistant Studies Student and a Physician Assistant
Entry-level education in a physician assistant program includes the acquisition of a unique body of knowledge and skills, the application, analysis and integration of principles, and the acceptance of the physician assistant professional behaviours and values. The role of the physician assistant is expanding within a changing healthcare system and graduates must be prepared for all responsibilities and privileges of practice.
When identified in association with the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) Program, every MPAS student represents the Program and the physician assistant profession. Entrance into the University of Saskatchewan Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program indicates that you are prepared to assume the responsibilities of a graduate level student and a physician assistant professional. These responsibilities include a commitment to personal and professional growth and a willingness to accept responsibility for one’s professional and personal actions. Professional behaviours and values are core elements in the effective and appropriate practice of all health care delivery and form the basis for all interactions. Each MPAS student is expected to demonstrate a commitment to learning and professional behaviours regardless of setting (academic or clinical) throughout the program MPAS faculty are committed to the concept of graduate-level education, which includes the principles of adult learning, self-directed learning, and reflective practice.
The following policy and accompanying procedures describe the purpose and process for identifying, reporting, and rectifying concerns with MPAS student professional behaviour.
Purpose
The purpose of the Professional Behaviours and Expectations Policy is to provide clear expectations of learners and a transparent process for responding to concerns of lapses in professional behaviour by physician assistant students. It is the expectation that physician assistant students as junior colleagues and future members of the physician assistant profession are held accountable to the same standards as professionals in the physician assistant field. The Procedures align with the College of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan, and the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants Code of Ethics.
Scope
This policy applies to instances where graduate students registered in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program at the University of Saskatchewan, irrespective of their geographical location to which they are currently assigned, engage in behaviour which is generally recognized as being outside of the expected standards of professional behaviour.
Definitions
Reporter: a person who submits a report of unprofessional behaviour. Typically, this will be an instructor of an MPAS academic course, a guest lecturer, tutor, or experiential learning coordinator or facilitator, clinical education coordinator or clinical instructor. This may also include a staff member of the MPAS program or Health Authority, or other students in the MPAS program, other health professions, or a member of the public.
Respondent: a person alleged to have engaged in unprofessional behaviour. This will typically be a graduate student registered in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program at the University of Saskatchewan.
Minor Incident: an incident that has relatively minimal potential consequences for the individual or others but still reflects a lapse in professional behaviour. Examples of such behaviour include but are not limited to:
- Arriving late for a mandatory lecture or clinical learning experience without appropriate explanation
- Missing a mandatory session without appropriate permission
- Submitting assignments late
- Demonstrating a habit of disrupting the classroom environment
- Presenting an appearance that may not be perceived by patients, staff, faculty, or a facility manager as professional
- Using language in an email, assignment or other communication that may be overly casual or may be perceived as otherwise inappropriate or disrespectful
- Receiving or responding to feedback inappropriately
- Providing feedback to faculty or staff in a manner that is rude, disrespectful, or otherwise unconstructive, particularly when it undermines a culture of professionalism and mutual respect
- Failing to respond to or acknowledge receipt of phone calls, emails, or other forms of non-patient care related communications within 24 hours on business days, even when not prepared to fully address the content or concern
- Failing to inform faculty or clinical staff of a fellow student’s delay or absence when specifically asked to do so by that student
- Incidents of academic misconduct in which the reporter perceives that the student’s misconduct was minor and unintentional, due to a lack of understanding of expectations, rather than intentional, and may be better addressed through informal measures (USask Student Academic Misconduct Regulations, effective January 1, 2022.).
Major Incident: an incident that has the potential for serious personal or clinical consequences for others, including patients. A major incident may also include incidents that have the potential to damage the reputation of the MPAS program. Examples of such unprofessional behaviour include but are not limited to:
- Failing to communicate appropriately when patient care may be compromised
- Failing to communicate, in a timely manner, when absent due to illness or other reason, in accordance with the Attendance Policy.
- Most incidents of academic misconduct, including lying or misrepresenting himself/herself including instances of academic dishonesty such as taking credit for someone else’s ideas, plagiarism, cheating, inappropriate use of generative AI, and falsifying information (research data, grades, assessment results)
- Sharing patient information in a public space
- Sharing patient information with others that are not in that patient’s circle of care
- Posting patient, peer or faculty information on a social networking website that should not be exposed to the public domain (may be considered a critical lapse depending on severity and intent)
- Engaging in inappropriate and/or offensive communication with MPAS and university staff, instructors, colleagues, other members of the healthcare team, patients and their families
- Communicating in person, online, or via social media in a manner that is disrespectful toward lawful authority, including municipal, provincial, or federal entities and government representatives, that may be considered unprofessional. This does not restrict respectful disagreement with policy or process, but includes language that could be perceived as a conflict of interest, subversive, or disloyal to professional or civic responsibilities.
- Inappropriate communication whether on social media/internet, in person or other means including shaming others publicly, exhibiting uncontrolled anger; demonstrating disrespect or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation or sexual identity, gender identification, disability, religion, age, or nationality; displaying inappropriate pictures from research, education or clinical settings through social media
- Inappropriate communication may also include the use of unacceptable words, images, or actions such as profane or disrespectful language; inappropriate labels or name-calling; patronizing and insulting remarks; intimidating gestures by slamming doors or throwing things
- Uncooperative behaviours, whether intentional or not, such as repeated refusals to comply with known and accepted practice standards or to respond promptly to communication from staff or faculty;
- Unintentional breaches of private health or personal information where the student takes appropriate steps to report and contain that breach
- Refusal to work collaboratively in the program
Critical Incident: an incident which has direct harmful personal or clinical consequences or is an egregious breach of well-recognized standards. These incidents are addressed through the USask Student Academic Misconduct Regulations and Standard of Student Conduct in Non-Academic Matters and Procedures for Resolution of Complaints and Appeals. Examples include but are not limited to:
- Physically, sexually, or verbally assaulting a patient or anyone tied with the MPAS program
- Being sexually inappropriate with a patient or anyone tied to the MPAS program
- Unwelcome and inappropriate verbal, written, graphic or physical conduct, or coercive behaviour, where the behaviour is known or reasonably ought to be known to be unwelcome
- Unauthorized release of confidential information including identifiable personal data of a research participant; a patient’s health information or other breach of personal information, privacy policy and law Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP), the Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), Health Information Protection Act (HIPA), particularly where the student does not take appropriate steps to prevent, report and contain the breach
- Inappropriately accessing or using someone else’s personal information
Guiding Principles
Professionalism is a core competency in Canadian physician assistant education and is assessed continuously throughout training. Clinical courses include professionalism as a component to be taught and assessed. These procedures are not intended to override course-related assessment processes or documentation. The primary intention of these procedures is to provide an effective mechanism for the early identification of students who need assistance with their professional development so that appropriate remediation can be implemented in support of their successful completion of the program. They should be considered when unprofessional conduct is identified that is outside the developmental norms for a student’s cohort. The secondary intention of these procedures is to assist with crucial academic decisions when remediation is unsuccessful or inappropriate. These procedures cover most allegations of unprofessional behaviours that occur in academic or clinical settings or other work placements, or that are related to the student’s area of professional study.
MPAS Student Code of Conduct
The MPAS Student Code of Conduct, developed with feedback and contributions from the inaugural cohort of MPAS learners, provides a framework for professional behaviour, ensuring early identification and remediation of unprofessional conduct while offering guidance for academic decision-making when remediation is unsuccessful or inappropriate.
The MPAS Student Code of Conduct applies to all academic, clinical, and professional settings, including work placements and any conduct related to the student’s role in the physician assistant profession. The Code reflects the values of professionalism, equity, diversity, inclusivity, and the Seven Grandfathers Teachings of Wisdom (Beaver), Love (Eagle), Respect (Bison), Bravery (Bear), Honesty (Raven), Humility (Wolf), and Truth (Turtle).
Refer to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Student Code of Conduct for the detailed framework for professional behaviour.
Responsibilities
The Academic Director, Master of Physician Assistant Studies is responsible for the oversight and implementation of the Professional Behaviours and Expectations Policy.
Specific Procedure
See the Procedure for Concerns with MPAS Student Professional Behaviour document.
Contact
Program Manager, Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) Program
306-966-4252