Defining Challenging Behaviors

Mistreatment is disrespectful behavior that interferes with the learning process. Examples of mistreatment include public belittlement or humiliation, threats of physical harm or punishment, inappropriate requests to do personal services (shopping or babysitting), sexual harassment, and discrimination or harassment based on race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.

Neglect includes situations in which a student is openly ignored, is excluded from important decisions, or is made to feel “invisible.” Neglect is different from overt mistreatment but can still interfere with the learning process.

Use of alcohol and other drugs in a way that could interfere with clinical or educational responsibilities of students and teachers is prohibited.

Romantic or sexual relationships between teachers (including faculty, residents, fellows, near-peer teachers, and other health care and research professionals) and their students are prohibited while the teacher has direct supervision of or any influence on the student’s assessment or academic progress. Any relationship which could reasonably be perceived as having any influence on the objective assessment of the student by the teacher must be immediately disclosed by the teacher to the appropriate education leadership (e.g. Clerkship Director).

Teachers must exercise strict confidentiality when providing health care to students and complete impartiality when assessing student performance. The CWRU School of Medicine prohibits any faculty member or resident/fellow who has provided health services to a student from completing any formative or summative assessment of that student. Without exception, students must not ask any faculty or resident/fellow involved in their personal health care to provide any assessment of their performance.

While not an exhaustive list, the university does not condone the following behaviors in the workplace or learning environment:

• shouting, raised voice, yelling, or screaming;
• threatening language or implicit threats (such as “you’ll be sorry” or “this isn’t over”);
• abusive, degrading, disparaging, or demeaning comments;
• profane, vulgar, or offensive language;
• sexual, racial, or religious jokes or innuendo;
• discriminatory or harassing behavior or language;
• inappropriate physical contact, fighting, and/or horseplay;
• threats or similar intimidating behavior, as reasonably perceived by the recipient (i.e. moving closer aggressively);
• unreasonable refusal to perform job tasks or cooperate with others in carrying out assigned duties;
• or invading personal space or privacy.