Faculty-Student Compact

McGovern Medical School is committed to providing a work and educational environment that is conducive to teaching and learning, scientific inquiry, and the practice of medicine. This includes a shared commitment among all members of the McGovern community to respect each person’s worth and dignity, and to contribute to a positive learning environment where medical students are enabled and encouraged to excel. These are the values we aspire to uphold as partners in education and patient care.

Commitments of Faculty

• We will demonstrate respect for colleagues, students, staff and patients.
• We will strive to provide the highest quality instruction. We will strive for continuous improvement in our teaching efforts by responding to feedback and evaluation.
• We will outline learning objectives for all courses and teaching sessions. We will clearly define academic and behavioral expectations for our classes.
• We will comply with all medical school contact hour and duty hour policies.
• We will work effectively in teams, while respecting the contributions of all members, also assuming a fair share of responsibility.
• We will designate tasks that are appropriate for the student’s stage of learning, and level of responsibility, and assure appropriate supervision.
• We will recognize the responsibilities as role models, supervisors and mentors and will provide timely and constructive feedback.
• We will exhibit the same standards of professional behavior that we expect from others in our interactions equally with patients, staff, students, and colleagues.
• We recognize our responsibility for and the importance of service to the community.

Commitments of Students

• We will respect fellow students, faculty, staff and patients.
• We will strive for excellence in attaining the knowledge, attitudes, and skills required for the highest standard of patient care.
• We will strive to engage with our curriculum and respectfully receive instruction where it is offered. We will demonstrate respect towards faculty and peers by arriving on time to scheduled learning sessions.
• We will work effectively in teams, while respecting the contributions of all members, also assuming a fair share of responsibility.
• We will acknowledge and seek help when an assigned clinical task is beyond our skill level.
• We will establish a habit of critical reflection, acknowledge gaps in our knowledge, recognize our limitations, and strive for constant self-improvement.
• We will welcome constructive feedback from faculty and all others who observe our performance, recognizing that feedback is indispensable to improving our skills.
• In the spirit of continuous quality improvement, we will accept the responsibility for constructive evaluation of our courses and faculty.
• We recognize our future responsibility as physicians and the importance of service to the community.