Student Complaint Form

The University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy

Student Name: Graduation Year:

Contact Information:

Email:

Telephone:

Nature of complaint: (i.e.: curriculum, admissions policy, etc)

NOTICE: Information on filing complaints is provided in the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy Professional Handbook and on the College of Pharmacy website via the following link: www.uri.edu/pharmacy

In the space below, please state in detail your complaint, making reference to a specific ACPE standard Please include actions already taken to informally solve your complaint. You may use additional pages if necessary.

In the space below, please state in detail what resolution or relief you are seeking. You may use additional pages if necessary.

___________________________________

Signature Date

Upon completion, please place the Student Complaint Form in an envelope, seal and mark the envelope “Confidential” and deliver to:

Associate Dean of Student and Academic Affairs College of Pharmacy

7 Greenhouse Road, Room 125a Kingston, RI 02881.

Professionalism Guidelines and Expectations

Pharmacists must live up to the high ideals of their profession. Their lives must be guided by the principles of honesty and integrity to ensure that the public can regard their words and actions as unquestionably trustworthy.

To develop an understanding of and respect for these principles of honesty and integrity as applied to the academic work of pharmacy students, the College has developed this conduct policy applicable to all students, preceptors, faculty, and staff.

For prospective students, acceptance of this policy is required as a condition of admission to the College as a first-year professional student.

Students, faculty, preceptors, and staff are held responsible for exhibiting the following professional attributes: respect for others, empathy for patients and colleagues, honesty, integrity, accountability, confidentiality, knowledge of and involvement in the profession. Academic dishonesty and professional misconduct are considered unacceptable.

Fulfilling Professionalism Requirements in the Doctor of Pharmacy Curriculum

In a professional school, the curriculum of study consists of knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes/behaviors. The curricular goals and objectives of the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the College are articulated in the Student Learning Outcomes. Procedures for addressing academic competency and progression associated with students’ knowledge, skills, and abilities are addressed by the Scholastic Standing Committee. Procedures and Policies for addressing professional competency and misconduct are addressed here. Students are required to achieve a minimal competence in professionalism as a requirement of graduation. The major component of this requirement is the satisfactory completion of a professional development portfolio.

Professional Development Portfolio

Students are required to create and complete a portfolio that demonstrates ongoing professional development. Working with a faculty advisor, students will review their portfolio and receive constructive feedback on their progress. Students must complete assignments as presented during the orientation to the portfolio. Students who do not meet established minimum requirements as of April 15th of their P1 and P2 year can be referred to the Associate Dean and the College Co-Curricular and Professional Development Committee. P3 students who have not completed the portfolio by April 15th, will be referred to the College Scholastic Standing Committee. Students who do not complete the requirements of the portfolio will not be eligible for Introductory or Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences. Details of the specific required activities and assignments will be discussed early in the P1 year during an orientation to the portfolio and reviewed at the start of each academic year

THE CO-CURRICULAR AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

The Co-Curricular and Professional Development Committee consists of members appointed by the Dean. The committee develops expectations with corresponding policies and procedures for professional conduct and co-curricular requirements within the College and serves an advisory role to the Office of Student Life, the Student and Academic Affairs Office, College of Pharmacy (COP) faculty, staff, and students in examining evaluation of those expectations. The committee is also responsible for developing, implementing, and promoting proactive programs for professionalism in curricular and co-curricular COP experiences.

Goals:

• Develop the expectations with corresponding policies and procedures for professional conduct within the College.

1 Modified from the North Dakota State University College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Sciences Student Conduct Policy5/14/2008

• Develop, implement, and promote proactive programs for professionalism in curriculum and cocurricular COP programs.

• Work with the Office of Student Life, the Student and Academic Affairs Office, COP faculty, staff, and students to examine and advise on reported unprofessional behavior and refer as needed to appropriate University support.

• Review and modify professional development requirements set forth by the College and modify based on assessment and review of current literature for continuous quality improvement.

• Consider requests of experiences for recognition in meeting professional development requirements.

• Work in consultation with Coordinator of Assessment to evaluate student professional development and documentation of co-curricular elements.

• Support faculty advisors, in consultation with Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs and Director of PharmD program, with direction and guidance of the professional development requirements.

Components Of The Professional Development Portfolio

The goal of the Professional Development (PD) Portfolio is for the PharmD student to actively participate in, and meaningfully reflect on, experiences that complement, augment, and/or advance what is learned in the formal didactic and experiential curriculum. These activities should be selected to enhance professional growth prior to beginning Pharmacy Practice Experiences and documented through selfreflection prompts as defined in PD Portfolio guidance provided to PharmD students.

There are four main domains that will guide selection of experiences each professional year: leadership, development, collaboration, and service. These domains will be used to heighten skills in such competencies as:

• Problem solving and innovation

• Educating and collaborating with others

• Patient advocacy and cultural sensitivity

• Communication and professionalism

• Self-awareness

Committee leadership meets with students in each professional year at the beginning of the academic calendar to review professional development requirements for that year, which are a combination of required and elective activities. All activities listed are approved by the Committee leadership and mapped to accreditation standards.

Students track experiences through an online portfolio and meet with faculty advisors each academic year to monitor progress and provide guidance for activity selection to meet individual goals and interests.

Dress Code Policy

Professional dress is exemplified by the avoidance of extremes in dress and grooming. Even though current dress code policy does not specifically require adherence to the professional dress standard in the classroom, students are expected to maintain a neat, clean appearance in the classroom, such that visitors and faculty members might discern they are in the presence of students within a professional program. Therefore, avoidance of extremes of dress and grooming, and adherence to personal cleanliness should be maintained in the classroom, or in any situation when the student represents the College of Pharmacy.

Professional Misconduct Policy

We expect professional conduct from all students, faculty, and staff. Individuals are expected to represent the College, professional program or profession in a positive, professional manner. Violation of any professions’ codes of ethics is a violation of professional conduct.

Code Of Ethics For Pharmacists3

Pharmacists are health professionals who assist individuals in making the best use of medications. This Code, prepared and supported by pharmacists, is intended to state publicly the principles that form the fundamental basis of the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists. These principles, based on moral obligations and virtues, are established to guide pharmacists in relationships with patients, health professionals, and society.

I. A pharmacist respects the covenantal relationship between the patient and pharmacist. Considering the patient-pharmacist relationship as a covenant means that a pharmacist has moral obligations in response to the gift of trust received from society. In return for this gift, a pharmacist promises to help individuals achieve optimum benefit from their medications, to be committed to their welfare, and to maintain their trust.

II. A pharmacist promotes the good of every patient in a caring, compassionate, and confidential manner. A pharmacist places concern for the well-being of the patient at the center of professional practice. In doing so, a pharmacist considers needs stated by the patient as well as those defined by health science. A pharmacist is dedicated to protecting the dignity of the patient. With a caring attitude and a compassionate spirit, a pharmacist focuses on serving the patient in a private and confidential manner.

III. A pharmacist respects the autonomy and dignity of each patient. A pharmacist promotes the right of self-determination and recognizes individual self-worth by encouraging patients to participate in decisions about their health. A pharmacist communicates with patients in terms that are understandable. In all cases, a pharmacist respects personal and cultural differences among patients.

IV. A pharmacist acts with honesty and integrity in professional relationships. A pharmacist has a duty to tell the truth and to act with conviction of conscience. A pharmacist avoids discriminatory practices, behavior or work conditions that impair professional judgment, and actions that compromise dedication to the best interests of these patients.

V. A pharmacist maintains professional competence. A pharmacist has a duty to maintain knowledge and abilities as new medications, devices and technologies become available and as health information advances.

VI. A pharmacist respects the values and abilities of colleagues and other health professionals. When appropriate, a pharmacist asks for the consultation of colleagues or other health professionals or refers the patient. A pharmacist acknowledges that colleagues and other health professions may differ in the beliefs and values they apply to the care of the patient.

VII. A pharmacist serves individual, community, and societal needs. The primary obligation of a pharmacist is to individual patients. However, the obligations of a pharmacist may at times extend beyond the individual to the community and society. In these situations, the pharmacist recognizes the responsibilities that accompany these obligations and acts accordingly.

VIII. A pharmacist seeks justice in the distribution of health resources. When health resources are allocated, a pharmacist is fair and equitable, balancing the needs of patients and society.

Academic Misconduct

Academic Misconduct, while also considered professional misconduct, will be adjudicated as outlined in the URI Student Handbook accessed at https://web.uri.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1081/StudentHandbook-FINAL-08.22.2019.pdf

Professional Misconduct4

Professional misconduct for COP PharmD students includes, but is not limited to:

1. Violation of conduct described in course policies or articulated by the instructor in writing.

2. Contributing to or engaging in any activity which disrupts or obstructs the teaching, research, or outreach programs of the College or University, on campus or at affiliated training sites.

3. Entering the classroom or clinical experience habitually late or leaving early, arriving late to a professional activity, without prior permission from the instructor. The instructor also has the obligation to notify the class, if possible, in advance, of any changes in class times, possible late arrival and/or cancelled classes.

4. Approaching faculty, staff, or students in less than a professional manner and treating faculty, staff, peers and patients in a disrespectful and inconsiderate way

5. Unprofessional dress (as outlined in the professional program, professionalism manual, class and/or clinical agency policies) during classes, clinical experiences, or when representing the College of Pharmacy.

6. Falsifying applications, forms, documents, reports, or records of any kind or providing false information to the University personnel while an active member of the College’s academic programs.

7. Unauthorized accessing or revealing of confidential information about faculty, staff, or students of the College and University https://web.uri.edu/faculty/studentprivacy/ for information on the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA).

8. Violation of patient respect and confidentiality in any practice/learning setting (see https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/index.html for more information on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA).

9. Theft, damaging, defacing or unauthorized use of any property of the College, University, or training sites. (https://web.uri.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1081/Student-Handbook-FINAL-08.22.2019.pdf)

10. Computer usage that violates URI and/or clinical sites acceptable use policies, including use of social media

11. Sexual harassment as defined by URI and/or clinical sites (https://web.uri.edu/wpcontent/uploads/sites/1081/Student-Handbook-FINAL-08.22.2019.pdf).

12. Harassment, Threats of Violence, Intent to do harm (https://web.uri.edu/wpcontent/uploads/sites/1081/Student-Handbook-FINAL-08.22.2019.pdf).

13. Endangering patients, faculty, staff, and/or fellow students or damaging their property.

14. Intoxication, abuse, possession, illegal use or illegal sale of alcohol, other drugs, chemicals, firearms, explosives or weapons within the University campus, in any practice/learning setting, or when representing the College (https://web.uri.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1081/Student-Handbook-FINAL08.22.2019.pdf) Conviction of such actions is grounds for dismissal.

15. Any violation and/or conviction of any federal, state or municipal law as well as a University rule or rule at a professional experience site. Any felony conviction is grounds for dismissal.

4 Modified from the North Dakota State University College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Sciences Student Conduct Policy5/14/2008