When we create safe and positive learning environments, it’s not only the learners who benefit. All members of the Faculty and health-care team get to learn and work in a supportive environment, and patients receive safe, high-quality care.

When learners are mistreated, everyone suffers. The Faculty of Medicine has zero tolerance for the mistreatment of learners. Knowing what constitutes mistreatment is the first step in preventing it. By understanding the issue, we can work together to stop mistreatment. Be in the know and ensure all learners have a positive learning experience at uOttawa:

• Know what mistreatment is
• Know how to report it
• Know where to get support
• Know what happens after an incident of mistreatment or unprofessional behaviour is reported

Mistreatment is always unprofessional. However, a lack of professionalism doesn’t always involve mistreatment.

Unprofessional behaviour involves actions and communications that violate the Faculty of Medicine’s core values found on the Policy on Professionalism page of:

Examples of unprofessional behaviour:

• Repeatedly cancelling teaching sessions at the last minute
• Consistently showing up late for teaching sessions
• Not responding to requests when on call
• Committing academic fraud
• Sharing a photo of a patient on social media without their permission

As stated, the Faculty of Medicine has zero tolerance for the mistreatment of learners, whether by other learners, faculty, staff or allied health-care professionals. However, we can only act if inappropriate behaviours are reported. There are policies and procedures for reporting and addressing cases of mistreatment. These policies and procedures are well defined, support the confidentiality of both the reporter and the subject of the report, and allow reporters to remain anonymous if they choose.

You should report mistreatment if:

• you experience mistreatment and/or unprofessional behaviour
• you witness mistreatment and/or unprofessional behaviour

If members of the Faculty community report all instances of mistreatment, the Faculty can address each unique case in a professional and respectful manner.

The Faculty of Medicine reaffirms its commitment to fostering a professional and respectful working and learning environment. This includes ongoing efforts to monitor and enhance the learning environment through regular communication with hospitals and instructional sites to identify both positive and negative influences on professionalism.

Recognizing that professionalism in healthcare must be both taught and modeled, the Faculty is dedicated to promoting positive role models and addressing unprofessional behaviour, which can undermine education, research, patient care, and the overall learning environment.

To support this commitment, the Faculty provides this reporting form for reporting concerns regarding professional conduct. Reports may be submitted anonymously and are directed to the appropriate office based on the respondent’s role. For example, UGME for medical students, PGME for residents, Vice Dean Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for graduate and undergraduate science programs and Faculty Affairs for faculty members.

Resources such as the Faculty of Medicine's Office of Professionalism and the University of Ottawa's Human Rights Office are available to help individuals assess and address incidents of unprofessional conduct or mistreatment.

If you experience mistreatment, we’re here to provide support.

Once a report is submitted through the reporting form, the incident is investigated.

This process allows the Faculty and departmental leadership to address each unique case in a professional and respectful manner. The confidentiality of all parties involved is protected according to the policies of the appropriate governing body. Anyone who retaliates or takes reprisals against the reporter will face serious consequences.