General
Good standing/Academic Concern List
Definitions for good standing and academic concern list
A student in good standing:
- is registered for the current academic year or current session;
- has paid tuition fees for the current session;
- has met the ongoing requirements of the Office of Risk Management (immunization, mask fitting, CPR course and police record check).
A student active on the academic concern list: (This is an internal designation within the Faculty overseen by the SPEC.)
- has failed a written examination and not yet passed the remedial or supplemental examination;
- has deferred and not yet taken an examination;
- has deferred or failed and not yet passed a subsequent OSCE;
- has failed an evaluation and not yet completed the remediation;
- has an active professionalism issue;
- is currently being monitored by the Faculty Wellness Office; or
- is deemed as being in difficulty by the SPEC.
In order to be eligible to commence a core 3rd-year Distributed Medical Education (DME) placement, a student must not be on the active academic concern list.
Any exception to the above designation can be approved only by the SPEC.
As a student of the Faculty of Medicine, you have available to you a number of different academic support tools. The UGME Office works in close collaboration with the Faculty’s Student Affairs Office and the Student Academic Success Service (SASS) of the University of Ottawa. In addition, academic counselling and advising is provided by the Assistant Dean, Academic Affairs, the Preclerkship and Clerkship Directors and Rotation Directors.
Services offered
- Advice with clerkship planning throughout your medical education program
- Advice and strategies regarding your application for residency programs (CaRMS)
- Support for passing written examinations
- Support for counselling and academic advising
- Support for passing the practical examination (OSCE)
- Clinical Skills Support Program (CSSP)
- Mentoring/tutoring services
- Coordination of specific accommodations
- Referral to various services within the Faculty and the University to promote and facilitate your academic success, as needed.
- Students have the right to inspect all information contained in their own record, subject to applicable access—to-information and protection-of-privacy laws and with the exception of evaluations and letters of reference supplied to the University, with the understanding that they be kept confidential.
- Students also have the right to request that erroneous information in their record be corrected, and that recipients of information found to be in error be advised of the correction.
- Students wishing to inspect their record must make an appointment with an authorized official of the faculty or academic unit where the record is kept.
- Upon written request to the Office of the Registrar, students whose account shows no outstanding balance may obtain an official transcript of their record of studies at the University or have copies of the record sent to a third party.
- Only the Office of the Registrar is authorized to produce official transcripts. All official transcripts are complete and unabridged. The Office of the Registrar does not produce partial transcripts.
- Transcripts issued directly to students bear the note “Issued to student.”
- Official documents from other institutions are not released or redirected.
Access to student records is governed by University of Ottawa, entire policy is displayed under the following Policy 14a.
PSD Course/PSD OSCE
A student will be placed in the CSSP if he/she fails the PSD course (PSD OSCE or PSD tutor evaluations) or defers the PSD OSCE.
He/she will have a selected Preceptor for the Transition to Clerkship course to focus on history and physical examination skills prior to entering the first rotation.
In each subsequent rotation, a Preceptor will be selected who is interested in working with students on identified areas of concern, and will provide constructive, timely feedback. The student will not be permitted to participate in the Distributed Medical Education Program or in any community rotations unless permission is granted by the SPEC.
If the student passes the Year 3 Formative OSCE in March, he/she will be removed from the CSSP.
If the student on CSSP does not pass the Year 3 Formative OSCE, he/she will remain on the CSSP.
If the student passes the Year 3 Summative OSCE, he/she will be removed from the CSSP.
If the student does not pass the Year 3 Summative OSCE, the SPEC will review the student’s file and determine the subsequent course of action.
Year 3 Formative OSCE
If a student passes the PSD OSCE but fails the Year 3 Formative OSCE in March, the student will be placed on the CSSP and added to the academic concern list. The student will not be permitted to participate in the Distributed Medical Education Program or in any community rotations unless permission is granted by the SPEC. If the student passes the Year 3 Summative OSCE in September, the student will be removed from the CSSP. However, if the student fails the Year 3 Summative OSCE in September, the case will be brought to the SPEC who will review the student’s file and determine the subsequent course of action.
Year 3 Summative OSCE
If a student passes the PSD OSCE and the Year 3 Formative OSCE but fails the Year 3 Summative OSCE, the student will be placed on the CSSP while completing electives in Ottawa only and will be added to the academic concern list. The student will meet with the Clerkship Director and an intensive remediation program will be set up including one on one mentoring, review sessions on communication skills, and mock OSCEs. The student will retake the Year 3 Formative OSCE. Should a student fail the retake OSCE, the case will be brought to the SPEC who will recommend remediation, repeat of an academic year or withdrawal from the program.
Purpose
To clarify the policy on conflict of interest in clinical placements and to add the portion related to the Objectively Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) in Undergraduate Medical Education. The proposed changes are identified in the document below.
Policy
2.4.1 Pre-clerkship and 2.4.2 Clerkship
Conflict Of Interest In Clinical Placements
Students cannot be supervised in any clinical placements (i.e., core rotation, selective or elective) by a member of their immediate family, extended family including in-laws treating physician or others close to them who could compromise the objectivity of the student’s assessment. In addition, students are not permitted to do clinical placements with his or her treating physician. Students must immediately notify the Medical Education Office or Rotation Coordinators to request reassignment if their assigned placement is in violation of this policy. If a physician has treated a student in the past, they should make efforts to avoid any future situation that would put them in a position of evaluating that student.
Students are not permitted to participate in clinical placements at our affiliated clinical care facilities, including University of Ottawa Health Services, with a physician that has treated them in the past.
Conflict Of Interest During OSCE
The examiner cannot be a treating physician, a student’s family member or have a close relationship with the student. He or she must notify the Exam Center prior to the OSCE if they have a conflict of interest. If during the course of the examination, the examiner finds out he or she has a conflict of interest with a student, the examiner must recuse him/herself and the student is then examined at a separate track after the exam. If the examiner or the student perceives a potential conflict of interest, he or she must terminate the encounter and notify staff immediately. The student will then be permitted to complete the station with a different examiner at the end of the examination.
SENATE REFERENCE: 17:M05:09 EFFECTIVE: August 31, 2017 APPROVED BY: Undergraduate Curriculum Committee DATE: October 20, 2016 APPROVED BY: Faculty Council DATE: December 6, 2016 APPROVED BY: the Council of Undergraduate Studies DATE: June 1, 2017 APPROVED BY: Executive Committee of the Senate DATE: June 13, 2017 |
The Faculty puts great importance on support to the students to ensure their success in the medical program. Academic Counselling is provided to students in need after every summative examination in both Pre-clerkship and Clerkship.
Preclerkship
Preclerkship students are identified as needing academic counselling based on their examination results should their mark fall at or below 2 standard deviations from the class average. Students are notified by email of the need for mandatory academic counseling at the time their exam marks are released.
Students must schedule an appointment with their Preclerkship Director as soon as possible after receiving notice to discuss their performance to help identify issues that caused them difficulties with the exam and to identify resources to help them overcome these difficulties. At the meeting the student signs a confirmation letter indicating the date that the meeting has taken place.
Students who have been identified as needing counselling must also attend the examination review session. The Undergraduate Medical Education Office informs students of the date/time. Students have to confirm their participation with the coordinator for the relevant year.
Clerkship
Written examination performance requiring counselling:
- Identifying the students: Clerkship students are identified as needing academic counselling based on their examination results should their mark fall at or below 2 standard deviations from the class average.
- Informing the students: Students are notified by email by the UGME Office of the need for mandatory academic counselling when they receive their examination marks.
- Meeting with Rotation Director: Students must schedule an appointment with their Rotation Director as soon as possible after receiving notice to:
- Review their examination
- Discuss their performance
- Help identify issues that caused them difficulties with the exam
- Identify resources to help them overcome these difficulties.
At the meeting, the student signs a confirmation letter indicating the date that the meeting has taken place and this is forwarded to the UGME Office.
Written examination failure
- Identifying the students: Clerkship students are identified as needing academic counselling based on their examination results should their mark fall at or below 2 standard deviations from the class average.
- Informing the students: Students are notified by email by the UGME Office of the need for mandatory academic counselling when they receive their examination marks.
- Meeting with Rotation Director: In the event of a written examination failure, the clerkship student is required to undergo the same process outlined in the written examination performance requiring counselling above.
- Meeting with Clerkship Director: The student must also meet with the Clerkship Director to:
- Review their performance
- Identify potential issues contributing to difficulties
- Become oriented to supporting resources
- Review the process of remediation.
Clinical Rotation Failure
- Discussion of clinical failure occurs anonymously at the clerkship promotions committee.
- A remediation plan is proposed by the rotation director.
- The remediation plan is reviewed, and/or modified and passed at SPEC and other supports are identified as needed.
- All students requiring clinical remediation will meet with the clerkship director to review the clinical remediation plan and allocate academic supports if required.
- All students also meet with the Rotation Director prior to implementation of the clinical remediation.
Preamble
Note: If students have any specific needs that would make it difficult to follow these procedures, they must contact the UGME Office as soon as possible in order to see whether arrangements can be made.
Examination dates are posted on the UGME website. Students must pay attention to the times of arrival and to the start and end times for each examination. No exceptions will be accepted without proper approval.
Pre-clerkship students will receive an email notification to inform them when the specific group assignment and scheduling of each group is available through the online calendar within two weeks of the examination day.
Students should arrive outside the examination room at least 15 minutes before the examination is scheduled to begin. The name of students arriving after the examination begins will be submitted to the SPEC. Students arriving more than 15 minutes after the examination begins will not be allowed in the examination room and will need to go directly to the UGME Office (room 2046). A member of the office will contact the faculty representative responsible for the examination in order to get instructions on how to proceed.
Before the examination
Written examinations will be placed on the examination tables prior to the students entering the room and be set up with appropriate spacing.
Ten minutes before the start of the examination, students will be permitted to enter the examination room in silence to take their assigned seat. Clerkship students will also be required to sign in while showing their ID badges to the Proctors before taking their seat.
When taking their seat:
- Pre-clerkship students must follow the assigned seating when taking their seats;
- Clerkship Francophone stream students must take their seat where examinations include a pink evaluation form while Anglophone stream students must take their seat where examinations include a blue evaluation form.
NOTE: Both sets of exams are in bilingual format.
- When taking their seat, students must have their student card with them and place it on the table, face up.
- Five minutes before the start of the examination, the students will be instructed to start filling in their name on the cover page only and student number on all sheets where it is requested.
- Students will be instructed to start the examination when the appointed time is reached. With the exception of name and student number, nothing should be written on the examination until instructed to start.
With the exception of a basic calculator, students are prohibited from using electronic devices or any other communication tool that has not been approved beforehand. Any such device or tool must be shut off, stored and out of reach. Anyone who fails to comply with these regulations may be charged with academic fraud. It is the students’ responsibility to verify which electronic devices or tools are permissible for each examination. You may refer to item 9.4 of the University’s Academic Regulations.
All notes, books, bags, coats and any items not necessary to the examination must be placed in an area not within reach. Only writing implements, tissues, throat lozenges, twist-top drinks or other food items that do not make noise or disturb others during the examination are permitted. Exceptions for food items can be made for students with specific health or religious needs. Any requests for such arrangements must be submitted to your Specialist, Academic Administration at least two business days prior to the examination.
Students must answer the questions posed. If there is no right answer then the question will be eliminated. If there is more than one right answer, then the answer key will be adjusted. These decisions will be taken after the examination in consultation with the Director of Evaluations and based on student feedback taken from the survey included with your examination.
During the written examination, only one student at a time will be permitted to leave for the purpose of using the washroom and will be escorted by a Proctor. Out of respect for fellow classmates, please use washroom if only absolutely necessary. It is expected that students use the washroom before or after the examination.
Students are not allowed to leave the examination early. Students must remain seated and quiet until the end of the examination period. This is to prevent disturbing other students who are still completing the examination.
If the examination contains any problematic questions, they should be noted on the survey sheet provided with your examination. This information will then be tabulated and presented to the SPEC for analysis.
After the examination
At the end of the examination, students will be asked to put down their pens or pencils. No extra time will be provided at the end of the examination to complete it or to fill out your name and student number (this is to be done prior to starting the examination).
Students must put all components of their examination back together using the paper clip provided.
Examinations will not be picked up; each student must return their examination to the assigned Specialist, Academic Administration at the designated location within the examination room. When submitting their examination, it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all components are attached.
If the room availability permits, additional time will be allotted to complete the examination evaluation once the examination has been returned. If needed, students can email more comments to the UGME office before the following Monday morning. These comments should be sent directly to your Specialist, Academic Administration.
When leaving the examination room, all papers must be returned to the Specialist, Academic Administration assigned whether or not they have been filled out.
Out of respect for anyone still writing an examination, students should be quiet when in or around rooms where examinations are taking place. Failure to do so may be considered as a lack of professionalism.
In the case of an alarm, or any situation where evacuation of the examination room is necessary, Proctors will ask students to gather in a specific area so that they will remain together in silence (no discussion of the examination is permitted). The group must stay in this location for the duration of the evacuation and await further instructions from the authorities involved. The faculty representative responsible for the examination will determine whether to resume or suspend the examination. If the examination is suspended, then the Faculty will decide on its rescheduling.
University Procedure on cancellation or postponement of examinations.
Examination and evaluation review (Evaluations completed by tutors and preceptors)
Students have a right to discuss their evaluations and feedback comments. They should contact their tutors, preceptors and/or rotation directors to set up an appointment within 10 working days of receipt of the evaluation.
Note that the marks report initially sent following an examination is preliminary. Marks become official after approval by the Student Promotion Executive Committee.
Examinations reviews
All requests for an examination review must be made within 10 working days following the release of the marks. In the event of a student writing a supplemental examination, the student may review the original examination no later than 10 working days prior to the supplemental exam.
Note that the marks report initially sent following an examination is preliminary. Marks become official after approval by the Student Promotion Executive Committee.
Students have a right to review their examination under supervision. Nothing is to be written on the examination itself, or taken away after the review period. During the review session, students are not permitted to work in groups or discuss with each other the marking of their examination. Students will not be able to request a reconsideration of their answer in light of a different interpretation of a question, nor can a student request remarking of their examination. Students can verify that their marks have been added properly. If errors in addition are noted, they will be corrected.
At the end of the review period, when all the arithmetic errors have been corrected, the cut-offs for counselling will be recalculated. Students will be informed that the official review period is over and that the marks are finalized. Individual students will be informed if their standing in the unit has changed.
SENATE REFERENCE: 2019:UGRD-MED:12 EFFECTIVE: April 3, 2012 REVISION: March 17, 2020 APPROVED BY: Undergraduate Curriculum Committee DATES: October 25, 2011; January 23, 2020 APPROVED BY: Faculty Council DATES: December 14, 2011; January 28, 2020 APPROVED BY: Council of Undergraduate Studies DATES: February 16, 2012; March 5, 2020 APPROVED BY: Executive Committee of the Senate DATES: April 3, 2012; March 17, 2020 |
To protect the confidentially of the student’s examination, the following rules must be respected:
- Only students that have registered to the review session will be allowed in the room.
- Students may have a pen or pencil as well as a calculator during the review. Everything else (i.e., backpacks, coats, electronic devices, etc.) must be left in an area of the room designated by the supervisor.
- Ten minutes before the start of the review, students will be permitted to enter the exam room in silence. Students must provide their student ID card to the supervisor in order to be allowed in the room and must then take their assigned seat.
- No student will be allowed in the room more than 15 minutes after the start of the review session.
- Exam booklets of the students who have not arrived within 15 minutes of the start of the session will be removed from the review session.
- Nothing is to be written on the examination itself, or taken away after the review session.
- Students are also not permitted to take notes on any other document.
- Students are not permitted to work in groups or discuss the marking of their examination with each other during the review session.
- Students can verify that their marks have been calculated properly. Any error in the calculation of the exam grade must be reported to the supervisor of the exam review session.
- At the end of the session, students must return their examination booklets to the supervisor in order to retrieve their student ID card.
- Students may refer to the section 3.5 of the Student Guide and Regulations if they wish to appeal a summative evaluation.
Students must attend the classes in the language stream to which they were admitted. Students must respect their assigned schedule and remain in the group to which they are assigned for all sessions, whether mandatory or not. If members of the administration team cannot confirm your presence, it will be considered an unexcused absence, which will be forwarded to the appropriate member of the UGME Leadership Team for action.
To request a letter of good standing, please complete the online form Request for a letter of good standing. Kindly note that to be eligible to receive a letter of good standing, your record must comply with the following:
- you must be registered for the current academic year or current session;
- your tuition fees must be paid for the current session;
- you must meet the ongoing requirements of the Office of Risk Management (immunization, mask fitting, CPR course and police record check).
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that these requirements are met. If your record is in good standing, the letter will be delivered within two business days. Should you have any questions, you may contact the Academic Assistant at [email protected].
Purpose
The purpose of this document is to provide a student-centred approach to consent for physical examination of students by peers and tutors that is respectful of students’ privacy and to provide a clear procedure for negotiating adverse events.
Scope
This document applies to all students and faculty involved in the teaching and learning of clinical skills in the MD Program curriculum. In this document, the term “peers” refers to MD Program students.
Guidelines
- Examining peers is part of the Clinical skills training in the MD Program.
- Students and tutors may examine head, neck, and limbs typically exposed with T-shirts and shorts. Abdomen and chest (anterior and posterior) and spine exposed by removal of top layer of clothing may only be examined with students’ explicit consent and in accordance with appropriate draping procedures.
- Students and tutors will not be expected to examine breasts, the genitals or rectal area.
- Students must obtain verbal consent from peers to be examined before each physical examination encounter. Any concerns regarding consenting to peer exam in general should be discussed with the Clinical Skills Directors at the beginning of the academic year.
- Students may withdraw verbal consent to be examined at any time. Students are not required to disclose their reasons for withdrawing consent.
- Students may decline to give consent to be examined by tutors and peers. Students are not required to disclose their reasons for refusing consent.
- Students who refuse or withdraw consent for any component of the physical exam may discuss this decision with either their tutor or Clinical Skills Director. All parties will handle this discussion sensitively and confidentially.
- Students may opt to pre-select partners from within the group with whom they are comfortable.
- Tutors must not coerce students into consenting to be examined. They should only invite students to volunteer for demonstration purposes who have previously given consent. Any instances of perceived coercion or discomfort should be discussed with the Clinical Skills Directors.
- Tutors will have access to ongoing faculty development opportunities to ensure they have clear, ongoing understanding of these guidelines.
- Tutors shall not take a refusal of peer participation into account when considering the student’s academic performance.
- In the event that peer participation for physical examination is not possible within the student’s group, other avenues to ensure that student learning is not compromised will be implemented (i.e., combining groups, use of standardized patients, etc.).
- In the event of discovery of a suspicious finding, inappropriate behaviour, or a breach in confidentiality, tutors and students will follow the adverse event procedures outlined below.
Adverse events procedures
Discovery of a suspicious finding
During physical examination of students by peers and tutors it is possible that a new concerning or suspicious finding may be discovered, for example, discovery of a mass, a heart murmur, or elevated blood pressure. The goal is to enable the student to obtain timely medical attention.
The following steps will be taken:
- The examining student confidentially informs the examined student of the concerning or suspicious finding.
- The examining student determines whether the student is already aware of the concerning or suspicious finding.
- Both students confidentially inform their tutor.
- The tutor asks permission to perform the same physical examination.
- If the tutor confirms the concerning or suspicious finding, the tutor recommends that the student seeks medical advice.
- The tutor reminds both students of the duty of the examining student to maintain confidentiality regarding the incident.
Inappropriate behaviour
Inappropriate behaviour, is definedas inappropriate use of medical equipment, offensive language, or physical abuse during physical examination of students by peers and tutors. Appropriate steps must be followed if either Tutors directly witness inappropriate behaviour or are alerted to it by a student. The consequence for inappropriate behaviour will vary and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
The following steps will be taken:
- The tutor speaks to the student(s) behaving inappropriately.
- The tutor informs the student that their behaviour is inappropriate and may be a breach of University or Faculty policy or standard.
- For serious breaches of behaviour, the tutor contacts the course director regarding the incident.
- The course director checks applicable policies and standards regarding the incident and takes required actions.
- If a student has potentially been harmed by the inappropriate behavior, the tutor ensures that he or she seeks appropriate care (i.e. counseling).
Breach in confidentiality
Confidential information about a student may be revealed during history taking or physical examination. For example, students may reveal a history of medical issues, or physical examination may reveal surgical scars. It is possible in these situations that a breach in confidentiality may occur despite students being taught about the importance of confidentiality.
NOTE: Some students may willingly provide specific consent to have their physical findings used for the instruction of others, which would not breach confidentiality.
The following steps will be taken in the case of a breach in confidentiality:
- The tutor takes the student(s) who breached confidentiality aside to speak with them.
- The tutor informs the student(s) that sharing confidential information without consent is unacceptable and a breach of standards.
- The tutor contacts the Clinical Skills Directors regarding the incident.
- The Clinical Skills Director checks applicable policies and standards regarding the incident and takes required actions.
- The tutor ensures the student whose confidentiality has been breached is informed and, if required, seeks appropriate care (i.e. counseling).
SENATE REFERENCE: 2020 UGRD-MED-04 EFFECTIVE: August 25, 2020 APPROVED BY: Undergraduate Contingency COVID-19 Committee DATE: July 28, 2020 APPROVED BY: Faculty Council DATE: August 25, 2020 |
General Information
The students must evaluate their teachers and the teaching program in a mature, constructive and respectful manner. A bilingual, centralized, Internet-accessible evaluation system (One45) is used for the evaluation of individual learning activities, courses as well as teachers. Students receive all evaluations, however, they are only obliged to complete the following:
- evaluate the Faculty Member facilitating learning activities labelled as MANDATORY on their schedule and
- evaluate the course when they are a member of the evaluation team which occurs at least twice each year.
Students are not required to complete the teacher evaluation forms since attendance at most lectures and laboratories is not mandatory. However, we strongly recommend that all students complete the individual teacher evaluations (lectures and laboratories) since this feedback is extremely important to the Faculty and will lead to quality improvement. Please rest assured that it is not possible to determine the authorship of any online evaluation. The anonymity of the student is guaranteed at all times. However, it is possible to monitor who has submitted their evaluations.
Students have until the due date listed in the evaluation system (One45) to submit a mandatory evaluation (see above for definition of what constitutes mandatory evaluations). Students will get notifications to complete their evaluation. If students do not submit their evaluation before the due date, they will be called to meet with the Pre-clerkship Director in order to explain why they have not completed the mandatory evaluations. The Director will then report back to the SPEC as needed to determine whether or not the student should be placed on internal probation, a note should be placed in the professionalism section of the MSPR, or whether other actions should be taken.
Clinical Preceptors
The students must evaluate their Clinical Preceptors and the teaching program in a mature, constructive and respectful manner. A bilingual, centralized, Internet-accessible evaluation system (One45) is used for the evaluation of individual learning activities, rotations and teachers. There are two mandatory evaluations. Every student must:
- evaluate their Clinical Preceptors in each rotation
- evaluate the overall quality, organization and teaching at the end of each six week clerkship rotation.
This feedback is extremely important to the Faculty and will lead to quality improvement. Students are also requested to voluntarily complete the teacher evaluation forms for the didactic sessions within each rotation.
Please rest assured that it is not possible to determine the individual authorship of any online evaluation. The anonymity of the student is guaranteed at all times. However, it is possible to monitor who has submitted their evaluations.
Students have until the due date listed in the evaluation system (One45) to submit a mandatory evaluation (see above for definition of what constitutes mandatory evaluations). Students will get notifications to complete their evaluation. If students do not submit their evaluation before the due date, they will be asked to meet with the Clerkship Director in order to explain why they have not completed the mandatory evaluations. The Director will then report back to the SPEC as needed to determine whether or not the student should be placed on internal probation, a note placed in the professionalism section of the MSPR, or whether other actions should be taken.
Examination and evaluation review
All requests for an examination and/or evaluation review session must be made within ten (10) working days from the day following the release of the marks and/or evaluations (i.e. for CBL or clinical rotations).
Please refer to the Examination and Evaluation Review Policy 2019:UGDR-MED:12.
Appeals
Appeal to the Faculty Council Appeals Committee
A student has the right to appeal the grade obtained in a course. A student may also appeal decisions regarding remediation, sanctions for unprofessional behaviours, requirement to repeat educational components, probation, suspension or withdrawal from the MD program as ratified by the Student Promotion Executive Committee (SPEC) or Faculty Council.
Student must submit their request to the Faculty Council Appeals Committee within ten (10) working days after receiving written notice of their final grade and/or decision they wish to appeal. The procedures of the Faculty Council Appeals Committee will apply and is describe under Bylaw 9.3 Faculty Council Appeals Committee.
While a student may appeal a Faculty Council decision regarding withdrawal of the program to the Faculty Council Appeals Committee, he/she will remain on leave from the program pending the results of the appeal.
Appeal to the Senate Appeals Committee
Prior to appealing to the Senate Appeals Committee, the student must have submitted an appeal to and received a formal decision from the Faculty of Medicine Faculty Council Appeals Committee. If not satisfied with that decision, the student may submit an appeal to the above-mentioned Senate Committee within 10 working days from the date he or she received the decision of the Faculty Council Appeals Committee.
The Senate appeals procedure is described here.
Please click here to see the Appeal process workflow.
SENATE REQUEST NUMBER: 2018:UGRD-MED:07 EFFECTIVE: March 20, 2018 APPROVED BY: Undergraduate Curriculum Committee DATE: May 11, 2017 APPROVED BY: Faculty Council DATE: June 13, 2017 APPROVED BY: Executive Committee of the Senate DATE: March 20, 2018 |
Applications for transfer will be accepted only from Canadian schools and only under exceptional circumstances, provided that the person would have met our admission standards, that his/her curriculum to date is compatible with our own and only if space is available. If these conditions are met the candidate will be invited to an interview.
Transfers into the University of Ottawa program
Transfers into the MD program will only be considered under exceptional circumstances, and in consultation with the Vice-Dean, Medical Education Program of the Faculty of Medicine, subject to space availability, and if in full compliance with all of the following criteria. Transfers will only be considered into year 3 of the 4-year undergraduate medical program.
The applicant must:
- be registered full-time as an undergraduate medical student in a Canadian university offering an accredited and comparable 4-year medical program;
- initiate the request at least 1 year prior to the desired year of transfer;
- have successfully completed year 2 at the time of transfer;
- be in good academic standing and have a satisfactory overall record at the home institution;
- meet the general admission requirements of the Faculty;
- not be on leave from the home institution.
It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all necessary documentation from the home institution reaches the University of Ottawa along with the request for transfer.
Transfers within Faculty of Medicine programs
Francophone/Anglophone streams
Applicants must declare their language stream at the time of application. Interviews will be conducted in the selected language and transfers from one stream to the other will not be permitted.
MD Program, MD/PhD Program
Once an applicant accepts an offer of admission to either of these Programs, transfers to the other program will not be permitted.
A candidate for the MD Program must complete all degree requirements within seven academic years of the date of initial registration in the MD Program to be eligible to graduate at spring convocation. A student who does not complete all degree requirements within this time frame will be withdrawn from the program and may submit a new application for admission to the program.
SENATE REFERENCE: 11:M05:03 EFFECTIVE: September 19, 2011 |
The purpose of this policy is to provide partial reimbursement for students who are assigned by the Faculty to sites outside the region for PSD, Community Service Learning (CSL) and community week. This policy does not, at any time, apply to electives.
Students required by the Faculty to travel outside the Ottawa-Gatineau area (outside a 25-km radius of Roger Guindon Hall) receive a travel allowance based on the location of the clinical placement.
Within two weeks of termination of the clinical placement or at the end of each term for PSD assignments, students must submit their evaluation form as proof that they have completed their placement/PSD. When this evaluation is received, the person in charge at the UGME Office arranges to have a reimbursement cheque issued. Students generally receive reimbursement within ten working days after reception of their evaluation. If their evaluation is not received within ten working days, the Faculty reserves the right to turn down the request for reimbursement.
Whenever possible, low-cost accommodations (e.g. $125 weekly or less) are identified in locations that are situated 100 km or more from Roger Guindon Hall and accommodation expenses are reimbursed directly by the Faculty. If no accommodations have previously been identified by the Faculty, a sum of $25 per day is allowed up to a maximum of $125 weekly (weekend excluded). In this case, the travel allowance is limited to one (1) round trip per week.
Students are responsible, where applicable, for enrollment fees at another faculty of medicine or college of physicians of another province (e.g. University of Manitoba).
As for more remote sites for which travel expenses are not already subsidized by programs such as the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) program, the Eastern Regional Medical Education Program (ERMEP), etc., expenses corresponding to the most economical means of transportation shall be reimbursed.
Students travelling to another province for a rotation or to a rural or remote community in Ontario under the auspices of the Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS) are subject to the CNFS’ Politique de remboursement des frais de déplacement pour stages en milieu clinique [policy on reimbursement of travel expenses for clinical clerkships].
All requests for an exception to this policy must be justified in writing and approved by the Vice-Dean, UGME. In all cases, the Faculty shall reimburse the student for the least costly alternative. Consequently, it is important to make arrangements well in advance of travelling to clinical sites with the person in charge of PSD or placements at the UGME Office.
For reimbursement of student travel and/or housing expenses, please use:
N.B.: The Faculty and the University assume no responsibility for damages to a personal vehicle used by a student for travel. Students must therefore check with their insurance company to determine whether they need to obtain additional insurance.
Preclerkship
Justification
The passing grade for courses in the Undergraduate Medical Education Program is C (60%) as indicated in the policies “Requirement for Passing Pre-clerkship” and “Requirement for Passing 3rd Year Clerkship”.
10.1 Official grading system
* Redeemable failure in some faculties
The Common Law Section of the Faculty of Law does not use the letter grade E, but an F with a satisfactory CGPA is considered a redeemable failure.
Passing grades
At the undergraduate level, the passing grade is usually D.
At the graduate level, the minimum passing grade is C+. Some programs may require a higher grade.
Note: The passing grades required in a course including students at more than one level are determined by each student’s level and not by the course level.
At the Faculty of Education, the passing grade is C. The passing grade for all NSG and NUT courses is C+.
The passing grade for all courses in the undergraduate medical education program (MED and CLI) is C.
SENATE REFERENCE: 2022-MED-UGRD-03 EFFECTIVE: September 13, 2022 REVISION: Modification to the Academic Regulation I-10 – Official grading system APPROVED BY: Undergraduate Curriculum Committee DATE: June 23, 2022 APPROVED BY: Faculty Council DATE: August 29, 2022 APPROVED BY: Council of Undergraduate Studies DATE: September 8, 2022 APPROVED BY: Executive Committee of the Senate DATE: September 13, 2022 |
Preamble
To successfully complete pre-clerkship, a student must pass the following courses:
- Year 1: MED 1107 Community Week, MED 1200 Introduction Unit to the Profession, MED 1201 Foundations Unit, MED 1202 Unit I, MED 1302 Physician Skills Development (Part 1), MED 4101 Eportfolio on Core Competencies (Part 1)*
*no grade attributed until the end of the 4th year - Year 2: MED 2201 Unit II, MED 2202 Unit III, MED 2203 Unit IV, MED 2109 Mandatory Clinical Week, MED 2302 Physician Skills Development (Part 2), MED 4102 Eportfolio on Core Competencies (Part 2)*, CLI 2101 Transition to Clerkship Part 1**
*no grade attributed until the end of the 4th year
**new course effective spring 2021
Courses
Introduction Unit (MED 1200)
To pass the Introduction Unit, a student must attend all sessions and meet expectations on all mandatory assignments. Students must comply with the Attendance Policy in Pre-Clerkship. A student with 1 or more absences may be required to meet with the Director of Pre-Clerkship. The case of a student with a failure to meet expectations, including not attending 1 or more sessions, will be discussed by the Student Promotion Executive Committee (SPEC) who could recommend remediation or sanctions up to repetition of the academic year or dismissal from the program.
Foundations Unit (MED 1201), Unit I (MED 1202), Unit II (MED 2201), Unit III (MED 2202) and Unit IV (MED 2203)
To pass these courses, a student must complete all sections of the examinations and receive an overall unit grade of 60% or more, meet expectations on all mandatory assignments and meet expectations overall on Case-Based Learning (CBL) sessions.
A student who obtains a failing grade for a unit must write a supplemental examination. To be promoted to the next academic year, students must achieve an overall mark of 60% or more on the supplemental examination.
The case of a student with a failure in meeting CBL expectations or mandatory assignments will be discussed by the SPEC who could recommend remediation or sanctions up to repetition of the academic year or dismissal from the program.
Deferred and Supplemental Examinations of a Unit
The date and time of deferred and supplemental examinations are determined by the Undergraduate Medical Education Office.
Students may have a maximum total of 2 deferred assignments, deferred examinations, supplemental examinations or combination thereof in 1 academic year.
In the case of a deferred assignment or examination, the unit final grade will be released to the student once all mandatory components have been successfully completed.
In the case of a unit supplemental examination, to be promoted to the next academic year, students must achieve an overall mark of 60% or more on the supplemental examination.
The case of a student with a failure on a supplemental examination will be discussed by the SPEC who could recommend remediation or sanctions up to repetition of the academic year or dismissal from the program.
The grade obtained on the supplemental exam replaces the final examination grade in the course. Only the grade obtained after the supplemental exam appears on the student’s transcript.
However, a note on the transcript will indicate that this grade was obtained as a result of a supplemental examination.
Physician Skills Development (PSD) Courses
Physician Skills Development (Part 1)—MED 1302
To pass this course, a student must:
- obtain an overall pass on PSD tutor and Community Preceptor Program evaluations; and
- obtain a pass on the PSD Year 1 summative Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
In the case of a deferred OSCE, the student must complete the year 1 OSCE the following academic year and obtain a passing grade.
A student who obtains a failing mark on the OSCE will receive a failure grade for the course. The student must complete the year 1 OSCE scheduled the following academic year and obtain a passing grade. This OSCE serves as the supplemental OSCE. The case of a student with a failure on the supplemental OSCE will be discussed by the SPEC who could recommend remediation or sanctions up to repetition of the academic year or dismissal from the program.
The grade obtained on the supplemental OSCE replaces the final grade in the course. Only the grade obtained after the supplemental OSCE appears on the student’s transcript. However, a note on the transcript will indicate that this grade was obtained as a result of a supplemental examination.
Physician Skills Development (Part 2)—MED 2302
To pass this course, a student must:
- obtain an overall pass on PSD tutor and Community Preceptor Program evaluations; and
- obtain a pass on the Year 2 PSD summative Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
In the case of a deferred OSCE, the student must complete the year 2 OSCE the following academic year and obtain a passing grade.
A student who obtains a failing mark on the OSCE will receive a failure grade for the course. The student must complete the year 2 OSCE scheduled the following academic year and obtain a passing grade. This OSCE serves as the supplemental OSCE.
The case of a student with a failure on the supplemental OSCE will be discussed by the SPEC who could recommend remediation or sanctions up to repetition of the academic year or dismissal from the program.
The grade obtained on the supplemental OSCE replaces the final grade in the course. Only the grade obtained after the supplemental OSCE appears on the student’s transcript. However, a note on the transcript will indicate that this grade was obtained as a result of a supplemental examination.
For the overall PSD course (Part 1 and Part 2 combined), a maximum of one (1) deferred or supplemental OSCE is allowed to be promoted to year 3. The case of a student who surpasses this maximum will be discussed by the SPEC who could recommend remediation or sanctions up to repetition of the academic year or dismissal from the program.
For more information, please consult the University’s Policies and regulations website.
Transition to Clerkship Part 1 (CLI 2101)*
*completed at the end of year 2
To pass this course, the student must attend all sessions and obtain a pass on the preceptor evaluation. Failure to do so will result in a remediation plan recommended by the Clerkship Promotions Committee, to be completed in the summer prior to Transition to Clerkship Part 2. The case of a student with a failure of remediation will be discussed by the SPEC who could recommend remediation or sanctions up to repetition of the academic year or dismissal from the program.
Transition to Clerkship Part 2 (CLI 3301)*
*completed at the beginning of year 3
To pass this course, the student must attend all mandatory sessions and obtain a pass on the preceptor assessment. Students must successfully complete this course prior to starting their clinical rotations. If a student fails to meet the objectives of the course, their performance will be reviewed by the leader of Transition to Clerkship and presented to the Clerkship Promotion Committee as well as the SPEC. Recommendations may include remediation, repetition of an academic year or dismissal from the program.
Community Week (MED 1107)
To pass Community Week, a student must obtain a pass on the preceptor evaluation. The case of a student with a failure on the Community Week preceptor evaluation will be discussed by the SPEC and the recommendation may include remediation, repetition of an academic year or dismissal from the program.
Mandatory Clinical Week (MED 2109)
To pass Mandatory Clinical Week, a student must obtain a pass on the preceptor evaluation. The case of a student with a failure on the Mandatory Clinical Week preceptor evaluation will be discussed by the SPEC and the recommendation may include remediation, repetition of an academic year or dismissal from the program.
Electives (non-mandatory)
All elective placements must be pre-approved by the Faculty of Medicine. Please refer to the procedures and guidelines for planning electives on the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine Electives website.
Professionalism
A course, longitudinal component, elective or rotation may be failed despite adequate demonstration of knowledge and clinical skills due to a failure in the domain of professionalism. Any student registered in the MD Program is expected to adhere to the professional standards of the Faculty of Medicine and demonstrate professional behaviour within coursework and clerkship, as well as outside of the classroom and clinical setting when the student is clearly identifiable as a medical student. Any unprofessional behaviour in an official setting or communication will be brought to the attention of the Vice-Dean of UGME, and may lead to remediation and/or academic sanction, which may include internal probation, recording on the Medical Student Performance Record, failure of a course, longitudinal component, elective or rotation, or dismissal from the Faculty of Medicine, based on the recommendations of the SPEC.
Please see the Professionalism website for more information.
SENATE REFERENCE: 2019:UGRD-MED:09 EFFECTIVE: June 4, 2019 REVISION: September 13, 2022 APPROVED BY: Undergraduate Curriculum Committee DATES: May 23, 2019; June 23, 2022 APPROVED BY: Faculty Council DATES: June 4, 2019; August 29, 2022 APPROVED BY: Council of Undergraduate Studies DATE: September 8, 2022 APPROVED BY: Executive Senate Committee DATE: September 13, 2022 |
There is a clear expectation that teachers and students arrive on time to all curriculum sessions and that the start and end time are respected, as scheduled. Understandably, there are unforeseen circumstances where a teacher may be late for a session or becomes unavailable at the very last minute. Should this be the case, we ask that teachers, students and UGME staff to adhere to the following guidelines.
Students - If a lecturer has not arrived in class or virtually by the scheduled start time
- Within the first 5 minutes, the class president (or delegate) must contact the UGME office.
- Year 1: [email protected]
- Year 2: [email protected]
- The UGME course coordinator will attempt to contact the teacher to confirm the expected arrival time.
- For 1 hr lectures: If the lecturer is unable to arrive within the first 15 minutes of the scheduled start time (in person or virtually), the session will be cancelled and reschedule later in a timely fashion.
- For 2hrs + lectures: If the lecturer is unable to arrive within thirty (30) minutes of the scheduled start time (in person or virtually), the session will be cancelled and reschedule later in a timely fashion.
- If the lecturer is unavailable to reschedule within the next 24 hrs and is unable to find a replacement lecturer, the lecture materials will be provided to students. When possible, the lecturer will provide a voice-over presentation and/or schedule a Q and A review session (virtually).
- The UGME Office (blocky1 and blocky2) will communicate the information to students in a timely fashion.
Students - If your CBL or any other small group session tutor has not arrived by the scheduled time
- Within the first 5 minutes, a student in that group must contact the UGME office.
- Year 1: [email protected]
- Year 2: [email protected]
- The UGME course coordinator will attempt to contact the tutor to confirm the expected arrival time.
- If the tutor is unable to arrive within the first 15 minutes of the scheduled start time the session, the UGME course coordinator with enact the following:
- Year 1 CBL: Students will be displaced in other groups. If the CBL room is at maximum capacity, students and tutors will be transferred to a larger room (if one is available).
- Year 2 CBL: Students will be instructed to remain on site and to complete the CBL session without the tutor. Generated questions can be reviewed with the tutor at the next session.
- Years 1 and 2 PSD: Students will be displaced in other groups. If the CBL room is at maximum capacity, students and tutors will be transferred to a larger room (if one is available).
Lecturers and tutors - If you are running late or have an unforeseen situation that prevents you from attending your lecture/session.
Contact your course coordinator as soon as possible.
- Year 1 Units: [email protected]
- Year 2 Units: [email protected]
- SIM sessions: [email protected]
- PSD sessions, anglophone stream: [email protected]
- DAC sessions, francophone stream : [email protected]
- ePortfolio coaches: [email protected]
If you do not know who to contact, please email [email protected] or call the UGME main line at 613-562-5800 x8551.
Accreditation standard 8.8
The undergraduate curriculum committee and the program’s administration and leadership implement effective policies and procedures regarding the amount of time medical students spend in required activities, including the total number of hours medical students are required to spend in clinical and educational activities during required clinical learning experience.
Purpose
The Undergraduate Medical Education Program (UGME) at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa provides balance among academic learning events, self-study time, electives time and personal life of a student. This standard is intended to provide guidance in terms of the length of the school day and total weekly hours dedicated to educational and clinical activities.
Statement
In pre-clerkship, Year 1 and Year 2 of the curriculum, with the exception of the first 2 weeks of study (MED 1200: Introduction to the Profession) dedicated teaching activities are largely scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Clinical skills activities are scheduled between 1:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., one to two afternoons per week. Scheduling exceptions can occur in certain weeks because of mid-term evaluations, statutory holidays and other special circumstances. Regardless of the exceptions, the maximum number of hours students will be expected to be in dedicated/clinical teaching activities during pre-clerkship years 1 and 2 is 29.5 hours per week. There are normally no scheduled learning activities on Saturday and Sunday, although rare exceptions may occur.
An average of 10.5 hours of self-study/electives time is available on a weekly basis.
Self study/electives time will be protected to ensure that curricular activities do not impinge on the designated blocks of time. Exceptional use of any protected time (for example, rescheduling to accommodate a faculty member that was unable to teach due to extenuating circumstances) must be approved by the relevant pre-clerkship Director.
Non-curricular events cannot be scheduled during regularly scheduled curricular activities.
Oversight and monitoring
CCRC is responsible for implementing and addressing challenges to the policy.
Concerns from students, teachers or administrative staff members regarding breaches of this policy should be brought to the attention of the Unit Leader, initially, and if not resolved satisfactorily, then to the Preclerkship Director for review. Finally, appeals may be heard by the Curriculum Content and Review Committee (CCRC) if there is disagreement with the decision of the Unit Leader and Preclerkship Director.
SENATE REFERENCE: 17.M05.04 EFFECTIVE: May 19, 2017 APPROVED BY: Undergraduate Curriculum Committee DATE: October 20, 2016 APPROVED BY: Faculty Council DATE: December 6, 2016 APPROVED BY: Council of Undergraduate Studies DATE: April 6, 2017 APPROVED BY: Executive Committee of Senate DATE: May 18, 2017 |
Clerkship
Orders and notes
Orders and notes in a patient’s record and all related documentation must be clearly identified with MS3 or MS4 next to the student’s signature or according to the instructions for the particular rotation.
Hospital greens
Hospital greens are the property of the hospital and can constitute a health hazard when contaminated. Greens must not leave hospital premises under any circumstance. For further information, please refer to the Hospital Coordinator.
Clinical placement requirements record
Every student’s immunization record must be up to date and should comply with the Faculty of Medicine’s requirements, i.e. yearly TB testing and seasonal influenza vaccination. Students with medical exemptions must present the documentation to the Office of Clinical Placement Risk Management. Students will be withdrawn from clinical duties if their immunization record is found to be deficient. Time away from educational activities will have to be made up once the immunization record is found to be compliant with the Faculty regulations.
Clinical placements within city limits
By choosing the University of Ottawa as your place of studies, please be advised that your clinical placements may be located anywhere throughout the city of Ottawa limits, as long as local public transportation is accessible with a regular schedule.
Purpose
This policy is to clarify failure during a core clinical rotation (Year 3 core rotations and Year 4 mandatory selectives). The policy establishes a clear guideline on what constitutes a failure with regard to a core clinical rotation as opposed to a summative written examination. For summative written examinations, please refer to the policy of Summative Written Examination Policy—3rd Year Clerkship.
Professional programs, such as medicine, utilize experiential learning and clinical experiences to provide hands-on learning in a variety of clinical environments so that students can better understand the impact of the disease process on an individual, their family, and their community and, apply and consolidate their medical knowledge prior to their transition to residency. The longitudinal aspect of clerkship provides opportunities for direct observations and assessment in the clinical environment in graduated fashion to the end of their fourth year. As such, a high volume and variety of clinical experiences are required to ensure the safe care of patients and the learner’s ability to meet the program objectives.
Policy
Year 3 Core Clinical Rotations
Core clinical rotations in 3rd year:
- Family Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Internal Medicine
- Acute Care (Emergency Medicine and Anesthesia)
- Pediatrics
- Mandatory Selectives
- Surgery
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
Core clinical rotations are evaluated on a Pass/Fail system. To obtain a pass during a core clinical rotation, the student must pass the overall clinical performance evaluation, complete all mandatory components for that rotation and obtain a mark of 60% or more on the summative written examination. Passing of the clinical performances is discussed below.
Year 4 Core Clinical Rotations
Core clinical rotations in 4th year:
- Mandatory Selective in Surgery
- Mandatory Selective in Internal Medicine
Core clinical rotations are defined as four (4) weeks of mandatory selectives in 4th year. Two (2) weeks in internal medicine and surgery respectively. Clinical rotations are evaluated on a Pass/Fail system and based on clinical performance only.
Clinical Performance
To pass the clinical component of the rotation, all clinical objectives and mandatory components must be achieved. This is evaluated during the core rotation by direct and indirect observations of the student and captured through a variety of rotation-specific assessments, mandatory elements, and formative feedback. Progression through the rotation will be assessed by the Rotation Director at the mid-rotation assessment and at the final assessment with exception during Year 4 core rotations which only have the final assessment. Though a student may be achieving the rotational objectives by the mid-rotation mark, it is no guarantee that rotational objectives will be achieved at the end of the rotation. Students must be actively involved in their learning throughout the rotation.
A pass for clinical component will be accorded by the Rotation Director if it is assessed that the learner has demonstrated adequately the clinical skills required during the core clinical rotation and have had sufficient clinical exposure.
If there is inadequate evidence, conflicting assessments, missing mandatory components or failure to meet the clinical performance objectives despite adequate clinical exposure, a failure will be accorded.
If a learner was unable to complete the clinical rotation due to a leave of absence or health-related concerns, an “in progress” will be accorded until which time a reintegration plan is determined and the learner returns to their studies. This will allow the learner to be supported for a return to the clinical environment to ensure adequate clinical exposure to achieve the clinical rotational objectives.
Students with a clinical failure who have completed the rotation can write the examination at the scheduled time. However, if the learner fails the examination, they cannot use the clinical failure as grounds for an appeal.
All clinical remediation plans must be completed prior to the start of the 4th year. Students cannot be excused from clinical activities in ongoing clinical rotations to remediate outstanding elements of previous clinical rotations.
Failure of two (2) clinical rotations will automatically be discussed by the Student Promotion Executive Committee (SPEC). This may result in a delay in graduation. SPEC could recommend, but not limited to, repetition of the academic year or dismissal from the program.
Professionalism
A course, longitudinal component, elective or rotation may be failed despite adequate demonstration of knowledge and clinical skills due to a failure in the domain of professionalism.
Any student registered in the MD Program is expected to adhere to the professional standards of the Faculty of Medicine and demonstrate professional behaviour within coursework and clerkship, as well as outside of the classroom and clinical setting when the student is clearly identifiable as a medical student. Any unprofessional behaviour in an official setting or in an official communication will be brought to the attention of the Vice-Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education, and may lead to remediation and/or academic sanction, which may include internal probation, recording on the Medical Student Performance Record, failure of a course, longitudinal component, elective or rotation, or dismissal from the Faculty of Medicine, based on the recommendations of the SPEC.
SENATE REFERENCE: 14:M05:07 EFFECTIVE: August 19, 2014 REVISION: September 1, 2022 APPROVED BY: Undergraduate Curriculum Committee DATE: November 19, 2013; June 23, 2022 APPROVED BY: Faculty Council DATE: March 18, 2014; August 29, 2022 APPROVED BY: Council of Undergraduate Studies DATE: September 8, 2022 APPROVED BY: Committee of the Senate DATE: August 19, 2014; September 13, 2022 |
ELE 3951 - Enrichment Year- Post Year 3
This course allows students to take a year in between years 3 and 4 of Clerkship to supplement their medical training by pursuing unique opportunities that are not covered in the MD. Students will complete 48 weeks of supervised and evaluated training at sites approved by the Faculty of Medicine.
Students must submit a proposal and obtain permission from the Faculty at least six months prior to the beginning of their 4th year of study. This course cannot be repeated.
Please refer to official course description ELE3951 – Enrichment Year – Post Year 3.
ELE4931: Enrichment Year – Post Year 4
Definition
The enrichment year is a 5th year of medical school that students can apply for if they have not been matched to a postgraduate residency program and have not yet graduated.
Purpose
The purpose of an enrichment year is to allow students who have not been matched to a residency program to complete additional clinical and research experiences. The exposure to additional clinical experiences, which must be done in a variety of disciplines, will assist them with career exploration. The research experience will provide them with a research perspective that they may not have previously been exposed to and will assist in making them more competitive when applying in the CaRMS match.
The year is intended to support students who have made reasonable attempts to engage in the CaRMS matching process in good faith.
Eligibility
Participation in the enrichment year is voluntary. Acceptance to the enrichment year is at the discretion of the Vice-Dean of UGME, or delegate, and is subject to availability.
Current-year students must have actively participated in both the 1st and 2nd iterations of CaRMS and have been unsuccessful. This includes participation in:
- Interviews
- Submission of a rank order list
A candidate for the MD Program must complete all degree requirements within seven (7) academic years of the date of initial registration in the MD Program (including the enrichment year) to be eligible to graduate at spring convocation as per the time limit to complete degree policy.
Students will be ineligible for the enrichment year if they have failed to actively participate in the 1st and 2nd iteration of the CaRMS match.
Important Considerations
Availability of the enrichment year is at the sole discretion of the Vice-Dean UGME, or delegate.
Students who wish to participate in the enrichment year must have the written support of the Assistant Dean Student Affairs. The letter of support must accompany the student’s application.
Students who are participating in the enrichment year will defer their graduation from the MD Program until the completion of the enrichment year.
Students will not participate in any clinical or research activities of the enrichment year until they receive approval from the Vice-Dean UGME, or delegate.
Enrichment Year Requirement
Students must maintain registration at the University of Ottawa to ensure appropriate insurance coverage at all times.
All the rules, regulations, policies, and practices of the University and the Faculty of Medicine MD program will continue to apply during the period of registration.
Registration will be for the Summer, Fall and Winter semesters and tuition will be the same rate as the incoming 4th year. It is important to note that OSAP does not recognize the Post YR4 Enrichment Program and as such financial aid will be limited.
Students will begin the enrichment year in the summer following the year 4 spring promotions meeting.
This enrichment year is a one-time opportunity and cannot be repeated.
The latest start date allowed will be July 1.
Students will be integrated into the upcoming 4th year programming and will be invited to participate in orientations, longitudinal curriculum, career nights, special meetings and OSCEs. LMCC preparatory sessions and materials will also be available if they were unsuccessful on the first attempt of the LMCC part 1 exam or have deferred writing until the fall.
Please refer to the course description ELE4931 – Enrichment Year – Post Year 4.
Electives will be registered with the MD program in the same manner as they are in the remainder of the MD Program.
Assessment during the enrichment year will be in the same manner as in the remainder of the MD Program.
The implications of an incomplete, unsatisfactory or fail evaluation or grade of an elective during the enrichment year will be the same as in the remainder of the MD Program. Consequences are outlined in the MD program policies and procedures in Clerkship Requirements for passing 4th Year Clerkship.
Students will, in good faith, apply to a range of post‐graduate medical specialty programs that will maximize their opportunity of matching to more than one discipline in the next CaRMS match.
Students must participate in the career advising process offered by the Student Affairs Office.
Student Affairs will continue to provide students with access to all its services including wellness and career advising during the enrichment year.
Students will be required to meet with the Assistant Dean, Academics, or delegate, every 12 weeks for a progress review and career counselling session.
Students who voluntarily withdraw from the enrichment year prior to completion will be subject to the University’s regulations and deadlines for dropping courses.
Application process
Students must submit to [email protected] a document of 1500 words maximum that addresses each of the following:
- Reflection on 1st and 2nd iteration of the CaRMS match and factors that likely contributed to an unmatched status
- Services utilized during the 1st and 2nd iterations of the CaRMS match
- An outline of the planned Electives and Selectives, including clinical and non-clinical electives for the enrichment year highlighting the primary goals and objectives that participating in these clinical activities will help support your enrichment year
- A planned strategy for next year’s CaRMS match
- Identification of mentors and/or collaborators, within or outside of the Faculty, who will be supporting you through the enrichment year.
Deadline to submit the application is 2 weeks after the results of the 2nd iteration of the CaRMS match are released.
Once applications have been received, the selection committee, chaired by the Vice-Dean UGME or delegate, will review applications and submit a written letter of acceptance or refusal no more than 3 weeks after the results of the 2nd iteration of the CaRMS match are released.
A lottery process determines the students’ schedule throughout clerkship. Students must adhere to their assigned schedule and complete all clinical placements at approved sites.
Groupings for clinical electives in year 4 are created based on the CaRMS list of disciplines. Students must follow the structure of these groupings in order to fulfill requirements of the MD Program. Please see the schedule for more detailed information.
Rationale
The proposal to mandate a Clerkship (3rd and 4th year of the MD program) rural/community rotation was requested to fulfill accreditation requirements and to meet current and projected societal needs. The Faculty is accountable to society to educate the appropriate numbers of generalists and specialists necessary to provide comprehensive health care to Canadians. Accreditation standards require that students have clinical experience in primary care in Family Medicine and the general specialty disciplines. Students must also understand health care delivery at all levels as part of the requirements for licensure. In addition, there is evidence that experience in rural/community practice settings attracts more students into Family Medicine, general medical and surgical specialties, and increases physician recruitment to these communities. The breadth of exposure and learning opportunities for medical learners in distributed and underserviced clinical sites may reach or exceed the objectives of the undergraduate medical education program. Ontario and the other provinces have an excellent resource of rural/community preceptors and Distributed Medical Education (DME) networks.
Proposal
Commencing with the Class of Meds 2007, Clerkship students are required to complete a minimum of 4 consecutive weeks in a rural/community rotation prior to graduation. One rotation choice must be identified as a rural/community rotation. This is usually completed during one of the core 3rd year rotations, and less often during the 4th year. In order to be eligible to commence a core 3rd year DME placement, a student must not be on the active academic concern list. Any exception to the above designation can be approved only by the Student Promotion Executive Committee (SPEC).
Students will complete their rural/community placement in Ontario, except for students with the Consortium National de Formation en Santé (CNFS).
Rotations in Ontario DME networks have been developed for many core rotations. Students in 4th year may choose any clinical discipline that is available in the DME networks. The DME networks have greater capacity to place students in Family Practice settings than in specialty practices as most physicians in the community are Family Physicians. Consistent with the Mission Statement of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ottawa, a partnership relationship exists with the Eastern Regional Medical Education Program (ERMEP). The majority of Ottawa students will be placed within the ERMEP network. The other Ontario DME networks and medical school DME offices are: Rural Ontario Medical Program (ROMP), Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM), and Schulich Office of Distributed Education.
SENATE REFERENCE: 2022-MED-UGRD-04 EFFECTIVE: January 15, 2009 REVISION: September 13, 2022 APPROVED BY: Undergraduate Curriculum Committee DATE: January 2005; December 11, 2008; June 23, 2022 APPROVED BY: Faculty Council DATE: December 5, 2006; December 17, 2008; August 29, 2022 APPROVED BY: Council of Undergraduate Studies DATE: January 15, 2007; September 8, 2022 APPROVED BY: Committee of the Senate DATE: January 15, 2009; September 13, 2022 |
Night call
The maximum number of hours per week spent in educational and clinical activities during clinical rotations is 55 hours, excluding call.
Night call is an essential mandatory educational component which should be viewed as an opportunity. It is hoped that the night call schedule in most rotations will average at least once per week for weeknights plus some weekend experience, and must not exceed one in four on average. Students are expected to spend the entire night in the hospital.
It is understood that for health and safety reasons, when post-call or post-night shift, a student will never be expected to drive or commute to a clinic, office, another hospital or to any teaching facility.
Students will be released from all duties including call by 5 p.m. on the two evenings prior to any rotation examination (Wednesday, Thursday) every 12 weeks, with the exception that students doing a shift during a rotation in emergency or emergency pediatrics will be released of all duties by 11 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to any rotation examination. Students may have to do a night call over the last weekend at the end of the first six-week rotation of a cycle. In such case, they will be relieved of duty at 5 p.m. on Sunday to prepare for the start of the last six weeks of the rotation which begins the next morning. Students are not expected to perform night calls on the last weekend of each 12-week rotation.
OSCE
The Teaching/Testing OSCE is scheduled on Monday; therefore, students will be released from call as of 11 p.m. on the preceding Saturday, and released from call as of 5 p.m. on the preceding Sunday. Students are released as of 3 p.m. on the day of the OSCE.
The last weekend between rotation blocks (every 12 weeks) should not be used for scheduling routine call. However, under special circumstances, where agreed by the student, it may be used to make up for call or clinical sessions that students missed during the regular rotation. In this event, the student should be released after 5 p.m. on the Sunday evening.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Following the night call, students in this rotation must go home, provided they have handed over the care of the patients to their colleagues via in-patient rounds. Such handover shall not exceed one hour. When post-call, students are not expected to attend any other clinical activities including out-patient clinics, physicians’ offices or O.R. lists.
Other rotations with in-house call
Clerkship students shall be relieved of their duties after ensuring adequate handover of patient care responsibilities, and no new patient responsibilities will be assigned. The handover period will not exceed two hours following the end of the in-hospital call period. When post-call, students are not expected to attend any other clinical activities including out-patient clinics, physicians’ offices or O.R. lists.
Call from home
The handover period will not exceed two hours following the end of a night call from home if the student commences work in the hospital after midnight but before 6 a.m. or a student who works for at least four consecutive hours at least one hour of which extends beyond midnight. Otherwise, the student will be expected to attend their usual duties following the end of the call. In addition, there will be no home call after 11 p.m. when a facility cannot provide a call room.
Evening call
At a facility that doesn’t provide call rooms, students are expected to finish their call no later than 11 p.m., including hand-over time. Under no circumstances will a student be requested to stay later than 11 p.m. in such a facility.
In rotations where night calls are scheduled to finish at 11 p.m., students are to leave the facility no later than 11 p.m. including hand-over. It is also expected that a student will attend clinical or academic activities on the following day as per the usual established schedule in that rotation. A minimal period of eight hours is to be allowed for rest between the end of such a call and the start of activities on the next day.
Clinical shifts
In the case of clinical shift work, such as in the emergency medicine part of the acute care rotation, students will be allowed to leave the hospital at 11 p.m. if they are expected to come back for compulsory activities on the next morning. A minimal period of eight hours is to be allowed for rest between the end of a shift and the start of activities on the next day. In addition, a student will never be expected to attend any activities on the same day after the end of a night shift.
This policy is based on the Professional Association of Residents of Ontario (PARO) regulations in effect July 1, 2009.
To pass 3rd year clerkship, and be promoted to 4th year, a student must pass the following course codes: CLI 3301, CLI 3102, CLI 3103, CLI 3104, CLI 3106, CLI 3107, CLI 3108, CLI 3109, CLI 3110, CLI 3111, MED4103*
*no grade attributed until the end of 4th year
Transition to clerkship part 1 (CLI 2101)
To pass this course, the student must attend all sessions and obtain a pass on the preceptor evaluation form. Failure to do so will result in a remediation plan recommended by the Clerkship Promotions Committee, to be completed in the summer prior to Transition to Clerkship Part 2. The case of a student with a failure of remediation will be discussed by the SPEC who could recommend remediation or sanctions up to repetition of the academic year or dismissal from the program.
Transition to clerkship part 2 (CLI3301)
To pass this course, the student must attend all mandatory sessions and obtain a pass on the preceptor evaluation. Students must successfully complete this course prior to starting their core clinical rotations or any electives. If a student fails to meet the objectives of the rotation, their performance will be reviewed by the lead, rotation director and presented to the Clerkship Promotion Committee. This will then be followed by the Student Promotions Executive Committee (SPEC). Recommendations may include remediation, repetition of an academic year or dismissal from the program.
Summative written examinations
All summative written examinations (supplemental or deferred) must be successfully passed in order to be promoted to Year 4. Outstanding written examinations will not prevent students from starting Year 4 electives.
Clinical performance
All clinical objectives with adequate clinical exposure must be met to pass the clinical component of a third-year core rotation to be promoted to Year 4. Students must complete all Year 3 components prior to starting Year 4 electives.
Clinical rotation mandatory components
All mandatory components of core clinical rotations must be completed and submitted to be promoted to Year 4. Outstanding mandatory components from Periods 7 and 8 will not prevent students from starting Year 4 electives.
Failure to complete outstanding summative written examinations, clinical performances or clinical rotation mandatory components prior to the last year 3 promotions meeting (see schedule), will result in immediate removal from Year 4 electives until all year 3 components are completed.
Core clinical rotations
Core clinical rotations are evaluated as pass/fail. To obtain a pass in a core clinical rotation, the student must submit all mandatory components of the rotation, pass the overall clinical performance evaluation and obtain a mark of 60% or more on the summative written examination. All three components must be successfully met to be promoted to Year 4.
Observed structured clinical examination (OSCE)
Students must pass the year 3 summative OSCE. Students are to challenge the exam at the the end of their third year. Students must pass the Year 3 Summative OSCE in order to graduate from the MD Program.
A student with a failure in the year 3 summative OSCE will be required to challenge the next spring Year 3 formative OSCE during their 4th year of medical school. This will be considered a supplemental OSCE. A failure of the supplemental OSCEwill be brought to the SPEC who may recommend remediation, repeating the academic year or dismissal from the program.
Professionalism
A course, longitudinal component, elective or rotation may be failed despite adequate demonstration of knowledge and clinical skills due to a failure in the domain of professionalism. Any student registered in the MD Program is expected to adhere to the professional standards of the Faculty of Medicine and demonstrate professional behaviour within coursework and clerkship, as well as outside of the classroom and clinical setting when the student is clearly identifiable as a medical student. Any unprofessional behaviour in an official setting or in an
official communication will be brought to the attention of the Vice-Dean of UGME and may lead to remediation and/or academic sanction, which may include internal probation, recording on the MSPR, failure of a course or rotation, or dismissal from the Faculty of Medicine, based on the recommendations of the SPEC.
Failure in two clinical rotations (either failure to submit mandatory components, failure of the clinical component or failure of the supplemental written examination), failure of the supplemental OSCE or Professionalism concerns will be discussed by the Student Promotion Executive Committee (SPEC) who could recommend remediation or sanctions up to repetition of the academic year or dismissal from the program.
SENATE REFERENCE: 2019:UGRD-MED:10 EFFECTIVE: June 4, 2019 REVISION: September 2022 APPROVED BY: Undergraduate Curriculum Committee DATE: May 23, 2019; June 23, 2022 APPROVED BY: Faculty Council DATE: June 4, 2019; August 29, 2022 APPROVED BY: the Council of Undergraduate Studies DATE: September 8, 2022 APPROVED BY: the Executive Committee of the Senate DATE: September 13, 2022 |
To pass 4th year clerkship, a student must pass the course codes:
- CLI4104
- CLI4105
- CLI4106
- MED4104
Back to basics (CLI 4105)
To pass this course, the student must attend all mandatory sessions. The case of a student with a failure in this course will be discussed by the SPEC and the recommendation may include remediation, repetition of an academic year or dismissal from the program.
Clinical placements (electives or selectives — CLI 4104, CLI 4106)
The electives and selective are evaluated as pass/fail. To obtain a pass in a placement, the student must pass the overall clinical preceptor evaluation. A student with a failure in a selective or elective must do another placement of the same duration to fulfill the program’s criteria. This remedial placement will take place during the Christmas holiday, the time reserved for the national interviews, or the Back to Basics course. Any other option must be approved by the Vice-Dean, UGME.
EFFECTIVE: August 19, 2014 APPROVED BY: Undergraduate Curriculum Committee DATE: November 19, 2013 APPROVED BY: Faculty Council DATE: March 18, 2014 APPROVED BY: Executive Committee of the Senate DATE: August 19, 2014 |
The written examinations at the end of each 12 week period contain multiple choice questions (MCQs) and clinical decision making questions (CDMQs). Both components will count towards the final mark.
The student who fails a written examination must write a supplemental written examination. Supplemental written examinations must be taken within 6 weeks after Promotion Committee’s decisions and results are released to the student.
NOTE: the student can apply for electives and obtain letters of good standing while supplemental written examinations are still pending, as long as all other requirements are met.
Permitted number of supplemental written examinations
A student may be permitted a maximum of 2 supplemental written examinations per academic year. Failure of a third written examination (either first attempt or supplemental) will lead to a review of the student’s file by the Student Promotions Executive Committee (SPEC). The Committee may recommend specific remediation, repetition of affected rotations, repetition of third year, or dismissal from the program.
Failure of a supplemental written examination
Following the failure of a supplemental written examination, SPEC may recommend remediation or dismissal from the MD Program. Remediation of a failed supplemental written examination may include repetition of the affected rotation or repetition of the third year program and a delay in graduation. In addition, failure of 2 supplemental written examinations, from different rotations, may result in dismissal from the program. Students will be excused from their clinical duties, excluding mandatory component sessions or activities, to write their exams. Supplemental examinations must follow University Policy I-9.6. The date and time of the supplemental examination will be determined by the UGME Operations office at the Faculty of Medicine based on the academic calendar.
Deferred examinations in third year
During Year 3, a student in good standing may be permitted to defer a maximum of 2 written examinations for reasons of health or a compelling personal reason.
To request a deferral of an examination, a written request must be submitted to the Supervisor Academic Services—Clerkship and Year 3 Specialist, Academic Administration. In consultation with the Clerkship Director and Vice-Dean UGME, the request will be reviewed. Additional documentation may be requested. Confirmation of the deferral will be communicated by the UGME office.
Deferred written examinations are to be written within 4 weeks of the original examination date unless the student is on a leave of absence. If the student is on a leave of absence, the deferred written examination date will be determined during the establishment of the re-integration plan for the student.
Combined total of deferred and supplemental written Examinations
The combined total of deferred and supplemental written examinations per student per year cannot exceed 4, without incurring a potential delay in graduation. Combined totals will lead to a review of the student’s file by the Students Promotions Executive Committee (SPEC). The committee may recommend specific remediation, repetition of affected rotations, repetition of the third year, or dismissal from the program.
Timing of deferred and supplemental examinations
Supplemental written examinations must be written within 6 weeks of release of results to the student after the Promotions Committee meeting. The date and time of the supplemental examination will be determined by the UGME Operations office at the Faculty of Medicine based on the academic calendar.
Deferred written examinations must be written within 4 weeks of the original examination date unless the student is on a leave of absence. Students must advise the Year 3 Specialist, Academic Administration in writing 2 weeks prior to the chosen date and time.
Exception: if there are outstanding clinical components or a clinical remediation plan has been developed, the student may only write their supplemental or deferred examination after the completion of the clinical course component. Timelines will be reviewed in conjunction with the rotation director, the clerkship director and the UGME clerkship operations team.
Students will be excused from their clinical duties, excluding mandatory component sessions or activities to write their exams. Supplemental exams must follow University policy I-9.6. The grade obtained on the supplemental exam replaces the final examination grade for the rotation. However, a note on the transcript will indicate that this grade was obtained because of a supplemental exam.
SENATE REFERENCE: 2022-MED-UGRD-06 EFFECTIVE: February 3, 2015 REVISION: September 13, 2022 APPROVED BY: Undergraduate Curriculum Committee DATE: January 8, 2015; June 23, 2022 APPROVED BY: Faculty Council DATE: February 3, 2015; August 29, 2022 APPROVED BY: Council of Undergraduate Studies DATE: September 8, 2022 APPROVED BY: Executive Committee of the Senate DATE: September 13, 2022 |
Excused absence—General information
Students must submit requests for an excused absence to their corresponding Specialist, Academic Administration at the UGME Office, a minimum of eight weeks in advance. Students should discuss a request for excused absence even before applying to attend a meeting where the organization selects the students who will attend, i.e. competitive application process. Normally, students will be permitted absence for only a few days in the academic schedule. In clerkship, students must plan carefully, especially if weekend dates are involved since the night call requirements must be met and scheduling changes will have to be made.
Presenting an abstract or official invitee
Students are permitted excused absence to attend a conference to present their research or if the student is an official invitee. The invitation may be associated with the student’s position in a provincial or national organization. Final approval is made by the Pre-clerkship or Clerkship Directors; any adjustment of clinical schedule will be made by the Director of the rotation in which the conference occurs. Absence may be excused for the day of the presentation and one day before and after for travel purposes as needed.
Conferences designated by the faculty for further development
Students may obtain an excused absence to attend or participate in conferences on topics/areas which are underrepresented in the curriculum or areas affecting student wellbeing and are areas of interest to the Faculty for further development.
The student must write a brief description of the goals of the conference and identify the deficiency in the curriculum or area of student need that will be addressed. These will be decided on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Rotation Director for approval.
Following the conference, the student will either write a proposal outlining ways in which the curriculum could be improved in this domain including resources (electronic or other) that could be used to enhance learning, run a workshop or make a presentation to the class on what was learned at the conference. In some cases, the student may acquire a skill that will be used in assisting classmates over the course of the program.
Financial support for students who present at a conference
There are two bursaries available for students who present at a conference
- Lorenzo Danis Fund (02298)
- Aesculapian Society Medical Student Conference Fund (03508/03509)
The terms of reference available on the Online Scholarship and Bursaries.
Mandatory attendance
Professional programs, such as medicine, utilize experiential learning and clinical experiences to provide hands on learning in a variety of clinical environments to better understand the impact of the disease process on an individual, their family, and their community. It also allows students to apply and consolidate their medical knowledge prior to their transition to residency. The longitudinal aspect of clerkship provides opportunities for direct observations and assessment in the clinical environment in a graduated responsibility to the end of the student’s fourth year. As such, a high volume and variety of clinical experiences are required to ensure safe care or patients and the student’s ability to meet the program objectives. The University of Ottawa MD program does recognize that there are instances that may require a medical student to take time away from their core mandatory activities.
- Attendance is mandatory for all clinical placements (e.g. including but not restricted to: Transition to Clerkship Part 1 and 2, Core Rotations, Electives, and Selectives) during the 3rd and 4th year of UGME. These include orientation sessions, didactic teaching and small group bed-side teaching sessions (e.g. Problem Assisted Learning, Academic Days, Skills Sessions and Simulated Sessions).
- Students may be scheduled to participate in curricular activities on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays which can include but not limited to, in house on call, home call and or emergency room shifts.
- For virtual learning activities, students must log in with their UOttawa account and properly identify themselves on screen with their legal name. If more than one student is in a room, all names of students must be listed on the screen and visual confirmation with their teacher must be done at the beginning and end of activity.
Unplanned absences
Unplanned absences are unpredictable, unforeseen and often critical or emergent circumstances, including illness or injury, personal crisis, family emergency, funeral or memorial service, travel or transportation emergencies or any other unpredictable and unforeseen circumstance affecting the ability of the student to attend mandatory activities. Unplanned absences must be IMMEDIATELY reported.
Mandatory notification of absence
The following people must be notified by the student or their delegate of the unplanned absence on the day of the absence:
- The UGME Office
- The hospital coordinator of the respective rotation
- The clinical team leader and/or preceptor with whom they are working with. This is to ensure that the care of their patients is handed over appropriately. If they are unable to do so because of the critical nature of their absence, they must ask the hospital coordinator to do so.
Please see procedure note on communicating unplanned absences.
Health Care provider note requirements
- Black out periods: Students are required to submit a verification note for all unplanned absences during blackout periods, regardless of the number of days of absence. The verification note must be submitted to the UGME office within 7 days of the reported absence.
- All other periods: students are required to submit a verification note for health-related absence of more than two (2) consecutive days of mandatory learning sessions to the UGME office within 7 days of the reported absence.
- If the matter is sensitive, the student may elect to first consult with the Student Affairs Office for immediate support and help with the notification process.
Planned absences
Planned absences are due to known or anticipated circumstances and require prior approval by the Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) office. Some examples include health care appointments, Religious observance, significant event such as an invited athletic or musical competition, participation at a conference as either an academic presentation or in an official leadership role. Further documentation may be requested.
Please see procedure on requesting a planned absence.
All planned absences requested outside of the defined timeframe below will be automatically declined.
Clerkship students have direct patient care responsibilities and cannot refuse this responsibility for religious reasons. When a holiday begins at sundown, a student is required to remain at the clinical service until sign-over.
Blackout periods
The UGME calendar has blackout periods when excused absences will not be granted unless for exceptional circumstances. The use of Personal Days (PD), Conference Days (CD) or Medical Leadership Days by a student is NOT permitted during this period.
The following are blackout periods during clerkship:
- Transition to Clerkship Part 1 (during Pre-Clerkship)
- Transition to Clerkship Part 2
- Day of examination and seven (7) days prior to an examination
- Transition to Residency: any scheduled in person simulation educational session and any mandatory session
Utilizing sequential days for planned absences
- The maximum number of sequential days that may be used for Conference Days is THREE (3).
- The maximum number of sequential days that may be used for Personal Days is TWO (2).
- The maximum number of sequential days that may be used for a combination of Conference Days and Personal Days is THREE (3).
Maximum number of students receiving approval for planned absences
- For any specific date within a rotation, a maximum of TWO (2) Anglophone stream students and ONE (1) Francophone stream student in a given Clerkship Rotation group will be granted approval of a CD, PD or Medical Leadership Day.
- When there are multiple students requesting the same day of absence, approval will be granted on a first come, first served basis as determined by the date that the UGME receives the request.
Approval of planned absences
Until written confirmation is received of the approval of the excused absence, students are encouraged to NOT commit to their activity or incur any financial investment. Students should be aware of any cancelation policies for the event if required.
Once a personal day (PD), Conference Day (CD), Religious Holiday or Medical Leadership activity is approved, students must inform their team (physician/supervisor and/or resident) of their approved absence at the beginning of the week in order to ensure appropriate patient hand over.
Types of planned absences
Absences for personal day
Definition
“Personal Day” (PD) is defined by a planned absence attend a personal activity without justification.
Number of Personal Days per Academic Year
- Students are permitted two (2) Personal Days (PD) during Year 3.
- Students are permitted two (2) Personal Days (PD) during Year 4.
- Personal days are non-transferrable between years, must respect blackout periods and cannot be used during a planned mandatory component.
Timing of the requests
- All requests for a PD must be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the affected rotation.
- Permission may be considered for a request submitted no later than 4 weeks prior to the absence as long as the following is respected:
- When planning a PD, students cannot request a day: where there are mandatory components where they are scheduled for a call shift once the schedule is out be more than 2 students off at the same time during a blackout period Shift/Calls for certain rotation dependant activities may be rescheduled or require exchanges between students if it is deemed essential to the rotation.
Please see procedure on requesting a planned absence.
Absences for presenting at medical conferences
Definition
“Conference Day” (CD) is defined by a student receiving a confirmed invitation to present at an approved medical conference. The student must be the presenter (podium, workshop or poster presentation) to be eligible for a Conference Day.
Conference days apply to in person and virtual conferences. A full day must be used.
Number of Conference Days per academic year
- Students are allocated three (3) Conference Days per academic year during their third year of the program and three (3) Conference Days during their and fourth year of the program. These days includes travel.
- Students who are presenting research at more than one conference per academic year may be granted one (1) more day per academic year.
- Exceptions may be granted by the Assistant Dean Academic Affairs, in consultation with the Clerkship Directors, if the activity provides enrichment to the students educational, career goals or within the student’s leadership roles.
Timing of the request
- A conference day must be requested as soon as there is intent of presenting at a conference. The request must be made as soon as conference dates are known, even if the abstract has not yet been submitted or accepted.
- Students must submit their request, in writing, as per procedure, a minimum of six (6) weeks prior to the start of the rotation.
Please see procedure on requesting a planned absence.
Absences for religious holidays
Absence for Religious Holidays are considered planned absences.
Students must comply with the University of Ottawa regulations, section 15. Clerkship students must send their request in writing to UGME Office at least SIX (6) weeks prior to the start of the rotation to facilitate the planning of clinical duties.
Most religious holiday calendars are available well in advance.
Please see procedure on requesting a planned absence.
Absences for medical leadership representation
Students who are representing the Faculty of Medicine in an approved leadership role (e.g. Aesculapian Society duties; CMFS duties) may be granted excused absences on a case-by-case basis. Requests for absences due to approved leadership activities must be submitted six (6) weeks prior to the start of a rotation to the Year 3 or Year 4 Liaison officer. They will consult with the Clerkship Director for approval.
Unexcused absence
An unexcused absence is defined as an absence without approval by the UGME Office. This is not the same as an unplanned absence.
An unexcused absence will be considered a lack of professionalism and will be brought to the attention of the Vice-Dean of the Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) Office or a delegate. Unexcused absence may be grounds for failure. The following is considered unprofessional behaviours:
- Failure to attend a mandatory learning activity for an unplanned absence without providing notification within 24hours.
- Failure to attend a mandatory learning activity for a reason that was known or anticipated or can reasonably be expected to have been known or anticipated, but for which a planned absence was not submitted.
- Disregarding the decision of the MD program regarding a planned absence request.
These unprofessional behaviours will be reflected in the student’s professionalism assessment for the rotation and may be reflected in the final evaluation. It can be used for grounds for failure of the rotation.
Threshold for review of cumulative absences, all sources
To ensure that the students continue to meet with the MD Program’s objectives while minimizing the disruptions to learning and patient care, the following thresholds will be used to facilitate early identification, in a safe and confidential manner, students who may require supports.
- All absences (unplanned, planned, unexcused) will be recorded and monitored.
- Every absence must be reported and documented. This ensures that the UGME office can support the student through their educational journey and is able to provide accurate assessment of the student through the program.
- The cumulative maximum number of days of absences per academic year is TEN (10). The names and files of students exceeding ten (10) absences will be brought to the attention of the Clerkship Director.
- Individual cases will be reviewed by the Students Promotions Executive committee (SPEC). Possible outcomes for exceeding the maximum number of allowable absences may include, but not limited to, further assignments, completion of mandatory requirements, and/or course/rotation failure and/or repeating the clinical year.
- Any staff or faculty member concerned about a student with fewer than a total of ten (10) yearly absences for all causes may bring this to the attention of the Clerkship Director. These concerns may include the student’s ability to meet the rotations clinical objectives and/or professionalism.
- To be eligible for academic credit, absences for all causes (planned, unplanned and unexcused) cannot exceed 20 percent of a clinical rotation.
- In Year 3, absence of more than 20 percent of a clinical rotation will require a remediation plan to be completed at the end of year 3 and prior to commencing year 4.
- In Year 3, absence of more than 20 percent of two (2) core clinical rotations may result in the repetition of those clinical rotations during an additional academic year. This will be discussed at the Student Promotion Executive Committee (SPEC).
- In Year 4, absence from a core mandatory activity of more than 20 percent will require repetition of that activity prior to graduation. If that is not feasible, then the student may be required to repeat Year 4.
- In Year 4, absence from a core mandatory activity of more than 20 percent of two (2) core mandatory activities will require repetition of Year 4.
- A prolonged absence or series of absences that affects the ability of students to complete a course or curricular component may be better supported by a Leave of Absence (LOA). Please see section below for information regarding LOA.
- A check-in meeting may be required with students if a recurrent or problematic absence history is identified, such as: 5 or more full day unplanned absences in an academic year or;
- 10 or more full day total absences in an academic year;
- 2 or more unplanned and/or planned absences on days on which mandatory components are scheduled in an academic year.
If a situation is identified, the Clerkship Director will review the student’s absence history and determine any next steps. This may include a check-in meeting. Students will be encouraged to invite a support person to this meeting.
The check-in meeting goal is to:
- Provide students with an opportunity to discuss their absences in a confidential and safe environment.
- Help ensure they are aware of the various supports available to them, and Determine if the student can complete the curriculum components.
Clerkship examinations and unplanned absences
- Clerkship examinations include end of rotation written examinations and OSCEs.
- To request a deferral of an examination, a written request must be submitted to the Supervisor Academic Services—Clerkship, and Year 3 Liaison Officer. In consultation with Clerkship Director and Vice-Dean UGME, the request will be reviewed. Additional documentation may be requested. Confirmation of deferral will be communicated by the UGME office.
- Students who complete an examination during the period of disability specified on the medical certificate cannot later plead illness to appeal their examination results.
See policy Summative Written Examination Policy—3rd Year Clerkship for information on rescheduling and completing deferred examinations.
Leaves of absence
A leave of absence is an official, temporary withdrawal from studies.
Acceptable reasons for leave:
- Health related reasons (self, family);
- Personal nature (e.g. death of a family member, separation of divorce).
- Academic enrichment year.
- Parental leave
Approval of Short and Long Term Leaves
Short term leave of absence (stla)
Short term leave of absence is defined as a pre-approved absence lasting less than 20% of a course or rotational component.
Request for a STLA must be submitted to the UGME office.
Approval is made by the Vice-Dean UGME or their delegate. Students may request guidance from the Student Affairs Office during this time.
Long term leave of absence (ltla)
Long term leave of absence is defined as a pre-approved absence lasting greater than 20% of the course or rotational component to a maximum of one full academic year at a time.
Request for a LTLA must be submitted to the UGME office.
Approval for LTLA is reviewed by SPEC
Students are requested to seek guidance from the Student Affairs Office.
Please see procedure on requesting a STLA or LTLA.
Reintegration and re-entry into the UGME Program following a Leave of Absence
The goal of a reintegration and re-entry plan is to provide the student with support to meet the UGME program objectives.
When a student is approved for a LTLA, the following will occur:
- SPEC will determine the re-entry point to the curriculum.
- A contract of return will be provided to the student.
- A plan will be formulated for reintegration which may include but is not limited to: plan(s) of assessment, accommodation(s), remediation, repetition of curriculum elements, repetition of clinical rotations, mandated health programs and examinations.
SENATE REFERENCE: 2019:UGRD-MED:11; 2024:UGRD-MED-02 EFFECTIVE: September 2019 REVISION: April 24, 2022; May 21, 2024 APPROVED BY: Undergraduate Curriculum Committee DATE: May 23, 2019; June 23, 2022; March 8, 2024 APPROVED BY: Faculty Council DATE: June 4, 2019; August 29, 2022; March 28, 2024 APPROVED BY: Council of Undergraduate Studies DATE: September 8, 2002, N/A APPROVED BY: Executive Senate Committee DATE: September 13, 2022, May 21, 2024 |
It is the responsibility of the student to report all absences on a daily basis to the liaison officer and the hospital coordinator.
Contact information of the Undergraduate Medical Education
- Specialist, Academic Administration, Year 3
Email: [email protected] - Specialist, Academic Administration, Year 4
Email: [email protected]
Authorization for absences may not be granted by individual preceptors or teaching staff members.
Absence request
Email communications must always be from uOttawa email accounts and subject line should include the following: Surname, given name — Cohort — Group and affected rotation name (for Year 3 students) — Reason for the absence and dates.
In clerkship, students must plan carefully, especially if weekend dates are involved since the call requirements must be met and scheduling changes will have to be made.
Any authorized absence may be subject to make up time at a later date (e.g. holidays, weekends, on-calls) or may require additional equivalent work, at the discretion of the clerkship and rotation directors.
In the event that the UGME Office or the hospital is unable to reach a student and has no record of authorized absence, the police will be contacted and asked to help locate the student at his place of residence.
Submitting a leave of absence request does not guarantee approval as each department must ensure patient care.
Preamble
Mandatory attendance
- All absences from mandatory activities must be “excused”. “Excused” is defined as being approved by the Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) Office.
- All absences will be recorded.
- Attendance is mandatory in interactive small group activities and certain large group.
- Activities or clinical sessions including, but not restricted to, Case-based learning (CBL), Physician Skill Development (PSD), Society, the Individual and Medicine (SIM), Year 1 Community Week, and Year 2 Mandatory Clinical Week.
- In addition, some key large group sessions are mandatory, as indicated in the scheduling system.
- Attendance will be monitored regularly including performing spot checks during mandatory sessions. All instances of a student who is found absent during a random spot check, and who does not have an approved absence, will be brought to the attention of the Vice-Dean.
Unexcused absence
- An unexcused absence is defined as an absence without the approval of the UGME Office.
- Make-up work may be required at the discretion of the Pre-clerkship Director. Any unexcused absence will be considered a lack of professionalism and will be brought to the attention of the Vice-Dean, UGME or a delegate and may be grounds for failure.
Blackout periods
- Day of an examination
- The use of Personal Days (PD), Conference Days (CD) or Medical Leadership Days by a student is NOT permitted on the day of an examination.
- Obesity Week
Utilizing sequential days for excused absences
- The maximum number of sequential days that may be used for Conference Days is 3.
- The maximum number of sequential days that may be used for Personal Days is 2.
- The maximum number of sequential days that may be used for a combination of Conference Days and Personal Days is 3.
Maximum number of students receiving approval for excused absences
- No more than 10% of the class will be given approval for a Conference Day, Personal Day or Medical Leadership Day on any given day.
- Approval will be given on a first-come, first-served basis as determined by the date that the UGME receives the request through the Absence Request Electronic System.
Cumulative maximum number of excused absences allowed
- The cumulative maximum number of days of excused absences per academic year is 10. The names and files of students exceeding 10 absences will be brought to the attention of the Pre-clerkship Director. Cases will be reviewed by a committee. Consequences for exceeding the maximum number of allowable absences may include, but not limited to, further assignments, completion of mandatory requirements, remediation assignments and/or course failure.
- Any staff or faculty member concerned about a student with fewer than 10 absences may bring this to the attention of the Pre-clerkship Director. These concerns may include concerns with the student’s performance and/or professionalism.
- To be eligible for academic credit, excused absences cannot exceed 50 percent of a course. Absence of more than 50 percent of a course will require repetition of that course during an additional academic year according to the Student Promotion Executive Committee (SPEC) decision.
Preclerkship examinations
- Approval to defer an examination may only be granted by the Vice-Dean, UGME or a delegate.
- Students who write an examination during the period of disability specified on the medical certificate cannot later plead illness to appeal their examination results.
Absences for personal day
Definition
“Personal Day” (PD) is defined by an excused absence to allow the student the ability to attend personal activities that would otherwise not be excused (e.g. weddings, special events).
Number of Personal Days per Academic Year
Students are allocated 2 Personal Days (PD) per academic year in their first and second year of their program.
Blackout periods
A Personal Day (PD) cannot be taken during the defined blackout periods.
Notification of absence
It is a professional obligation for students to notify their teacher of an approved absence. For planned absences, this must be done within 48 hours of receiving approval from the UGME Office prior to the mandatory instructional event.
Timing of the requests
Students must submit their request to UGME Office for a Personal Day a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the date requested.
Absences for presenting at medical conferences
Definition
“Conference Day” (CD) is defined by an absence because the student is presenting at an approved medical conference. The student must be the presenter (podium or poster presentation) to be eligible to utilize a Conference Day.
Number of Conference Days per academic year
Students are allocated 3 Conference Days per academic year in the first and second years of their program.
Students who are presenting research at more than one conference per academic year may be granted 1 more day per academic year.
Blackout periods
Conference Day(s) cannot be taken during the defined blackout periods.
Notification of absence
It is a professional obligation for students to notify their teacher of an approved absence. For planned absences, this must be done within 48 hours of receiving approval from the UGME Office.
Timing of the request
Students must submit their request to the UGME office for Conference Day(s) a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the date. The request must be accompanied by the following:
- a letter of acceptance from the conference;
- the dates of the conference;
- a copy of the abstract which includes a list of the authors.
Absences for medical illness (“sick days”)
Definition
“Sick Day” is defined as an absence due to medical illness.
Notification of absence
The following people must be notified by the student/delegate of the use of a sick day:
- UGME Office
- It is a professional obligation for students to notify their teacher of an approved absence. For planned absences, this must be done within 48 hours of receiving approval from the UGME Office. For unplanned absences, this must be done prior to the mandatory instructional event.
Medical note requirement
Blackout periods
Regardless of the number of days of absence, students that are sick during the defined blackout periods must submit a medical note to the UGME Office within 24 hours.
Periods other than the blackouts
If more than 2 consecutive absences for medical illness (i.e. Sick Days) are requested, a medical note must be submitted to the UGME Office within 24 hours.
Absences for religious holidays
Students must comply with the University of Ottawa regulations, section 15. Preclerkship students must send their request to the UGME Office at least 2 weeks prior to the date.
Notification of absence
It is a professional obligation for students to notify their teacher of an approved absence. For planned absences, this must be done within 48 hours of receiving approval from the UGME Office.
Absences for medical leadership representation
Students who are representing the Faculty of Medicine in an approved leadership role (e.g. Aesculapian Society duties; CMFS duties) may be granted excused absences on a case-by-case basis. Requests for absences due to approved leadership activities must be submitted two (2) weeks prior to the event.
Blackout Periods
Excused absences for Medical Leadership Representation will NOT be granted during exams.
Leaves of absence
Short term leave
A short-term leave is defined as a pre-approved absence lasting less than 50% of a course. The student may be permitted to pursue the UGME program within the same academic year.
Long term leave
A long-term leave is defined as a pre-approved absence which results in the repetition of the current academic year.
Acceptable reasons for leave
Short and long term leaves of absence may be granted only in exceptional circumstances such as:
- Maternity leave, parental leave;
- Reasons of health (self, family);
- Compelling problems of a personal nature (e.g. death of a family member, separation or divorce).
Approval of Short and Long Term Leaves
Short term leave of absence (STLA)
Students must submit their request for a STLA to the Office of Student Affairs.
A STLA is reviewed by the Student Promotion Executive Committee (SPEC).
Long term leave of absence (LTLA)
Students must submit their request for a LTLA to the Office of Student Affairs.
A LTLA is reviewed by the Student Promotion Executive Committee (SPEC) and approval may or may not be granted by the committee.
Reintegration in UGME Program after a Leave of Absence
The goal of the reintegration plan is to provide the student a good opportunity to meet the UGME program objectives.
When a student is ready to return from a LTLA, the following will occur:
- SPEC will determine the re-entry point to the curriculum.
- A plan will be formulated for reintegration which may include but is not limited to: plan(s) of assessment, accommodation(s), remediation, repetition of curriculum elements, mandated health programs and examinations.
SENATE REFERENCE: 2019:UGRD-MED:05 EFFECTIVE: August 31, 2017 REVISION: May 21, 2019 APPROVED BY: Undergraduate Curriculum Committee DATES: March 23, 2017; December 13, 2018 APPROVED BY: Faculty Council DATES: May 2, 2017; January 29, 2019 APPROVED BY: the Council on Undergraduate Studies DATES: June 1, 2017; April 4, 2019 APPROVED BY: Executive Committee of the Senate DATES: June 13, 2017; May 21, 2019 |
It is the responsibility of the student to report (in writing) all absences from mandatory sessions to the coordinator.
Medical education office contacts
- Academic Progress Specialist, Year 1
E-mail: [email protected] - Academic Progress Specialist, Year 2
E-mail: [email protected]
Example of a leave request to be sent via email
From: University of Ottawa e-mail address
Sent: Date
To: blocky#@uOttawa.ca
Subject: Surname, Given name—Stream,—Affected session(s)—Leave request (reason) Dear Coordinator,
I am writing to request leave for the purpose of (state reason and/or justification). I would like to request an absence on the following (day[s]). Sessions missed would be:
(list missed mandatory sessions here)
Thank you for your consideration and assistance. Sincerely,
Student’s name
Financial support for students who present at a conference
There are two bursaries available for students who present at a conference:
- Lorenzo Danis Fund (02298)
- Aesculapian Society Medical Student Conference Fund (03508/03509)
The terms of reference are available on the Online Scholarship and Bursaries.
The request for a leave of absence must be submitted to the Vice-Dean, UGME. A doctor’s certificate is required in the case of illness.
Other documentation may be required depending on the situation. With the exception of a leave of absence to complete a doctorate in a biomedical research area, the period of leave will not exceed three years.
The duration of the leave of absence may result in a delay in graduation.
A parental leave can be granted for up to a maximum of six weeks without incurring a delay in graduation, as long as the student fulfills all program requirements as stated in the Faculty academic regulations. A student also has the right to request a leave of absence for more than six weeks, it being understood that they may then incur a delay in graduation.
SENATE REFERENCE: 11:M05:01 EFFECTIVE: September 1, 201 |
Year 3
Vacations are to be scheduled during the designated two weeks in December, one week in April, and one week in July, commencing at 5 p.m. on the date listed on the rotation schedule. Students will be required to work on weekends and certain holidays as per the Rotation Director (or designate). Arrangements can be made to accommodate the need for attendance of religious services; however, weekend clinical responsibilities are mandatory. Each rotation ends at 5 p.m. on the last Friday of the twelve week cycle, provided the student has completed or handed over all duties. It is possible that rotation written examinations will be held sometime between 7:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. due to the availability of examination rooms.
Year 4
Vacations are to be scheduled during the designated two weeks in December. During the national interviews (three weeks), the student will not have any clinical duties.
Guidelines and Procedures for Research on MD Program Students
Preamble
The Vice-Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) or a delegate reviews proposed research projects involving medical students as participants for the following possible areas of concern:
- Potential conflict with UGME teaching or assessment (for example: teaching something in a different way or at an earlier time than in our curriculum that might serve to disadvantage students for some reason; providing an assessment advantage to one group of students over the others)
- Potential conflict with students’ responsibilities to the UGME program (attendance at classes or other mandatory events, completion of assignments, etc.) (For example: participation required during a mandatory class event; participation required during a scheduled assessment)
- Potential undue pressure/influence (real or perceived) for students to participate
- Potential harm to the students’ wellbeing
- Other concerns specific to the proposal (use of space, cooperating faculty, timing in academic year, other studies in progress, etc.) (For example: proposal assumes availability of space or personnel ; duplicate studies already underway)
The aim is to encourage and support research endeavours as much as possible while recognizing the primary responsibilities of our students, faculty, and staff.
Our affiliated Research Ethics Boards (REBs) have agreed to process such research proposal ethics review requests only with a clearance email/supporting letter from the Vice Dean, UGME.
Where possible, the Vice-Dean, UGME, will attempt to provide some support and guidance towards modifying proposals that are in conflict with the UGME curriculum and/or its delivery.
The UGME review in no way replaces the institutional ethics board review process.
Due to the very high volume of requests received, processing time may require several weeks.
Guidelines
- REB oversight and approval is required.
- Faculty involved in student evaluations may not directly seek research consent from students.
- Class time may not be used to approach students for consent.
- Survey material and consent material should be available in French and English. Note that this can be waived at the students’ discretion (with justification from the investigator) with approval from elected francophone members of the student society or at the discretion of the Vice Dean, UGME when appropriate.
- Investigators are not permitted to directly email students seeking consent for their participation in research.
- In the spirit of keeping faculty and leadership at arm’s length from the student consent process, calls for MD student participation in research are disseminated to the student society (Aesculapian Society) for their distribution to their peers as they see fit.
Procedures
- Please review the above guidelines and ensure items 1–5 are followed.
- Please submit any relevant documents (including the draft REB proposal, if available) to the Vice-Dean, UGME ([email protected]).
- Please provide the full title of the project and the names and titles of all investigators.
If your project will require student assessment data, faculty evaluation data, or impact on UGME staff resources, please submit a Data Request Form. This form serves two purposes. First, it will allow the Faculty to manage workloads of staff who may be required to collect the data and ensures that files are shared in a timely manner. Second, it will allow staff to monitor requests for data to ensure standards for dealing with student assessment and faculty evaluation results are met and to prevent duplication of requests.