Tackling Professionalism Problems in Residency Education

Course Overview

Dealing with professionalism lapses and deficiencies in residents is one of the most difficult challenges program directors face.  Although certain violations of the professionalism competency are so egregious that disciplinary issues are handled by the state Medical Board, most professionalism lapses during residency training are handled internally by the program.  Remediation of professionalism is a complex process, with little evidence to guide program leaders. Using cases based upon real experiences, strategies and methods to remediate professionalism, including documentation of formal counseling, are reviewed. In addition, we outline the use of a professionalism contract as a means to communicate program expectations and serve as a remediation guide for deficiencies in the competency of professionalism.  An example of a professionalism contract is presented, with discussion on how to maximize impact.  By the end of this session, participants will be able to outline common resident lapses in the competency of professionalism, describe common remediation strategies, and facilitate use of a professionalism contract as a tool for outlining professionalism expectations.

Speakers

• Nancy Miller, MD, FACP
• Elexis McBee, DO, MPH, FACP