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Establishing Fair and Ethical Medical Student Promotions Committees

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Abstract

Medical student promotions committees, also known as “academic progress” or “student performance” committees, act as essential gate-keepers to the medical profession, and make decisions that have enormous impact on students’ lives and careers. However, little is currently known about how to establish fair and ethical committees that both support student development and uphold academic and professional standards. Recommendations are provided to address issues of committee structure and composition, and to provide guidance regarding information sharing, decision-making, and committee member training. The recommendations are supported by specific examples and rationale from five US medical schools in an attempt to help develop a set of best practices across institutions.

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Notes on Contributors

Emily P. Green, PhD, MA is Assistant Professor of Medical Science and the Director of Student and Faculty Development at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, and an ex-officio member of the Medical Committee on Academic Standing and Professionalism.

Gary Beck Dallaghan, PhD is Assistant Dean for Medical Education at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, and an ex-officio member of the Student Evaluation Committee.

Daniel O’Hearn, MD is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Oregon Health & Science University, and Chair of the Medical Student Progress Board.

Marcia L. Verduin, MD is Associate Dean for Students at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, and an ex-officio member of the Student Evaluation and Promotion Committees.

Christa H. Zehle, MD is Associate Dean for Students at the Robert Larner, MD College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, and an ex-officio member of the Committee on Advancement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Medical Education, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 222 Richmond Street, Room 233, Providence, RI, USA

    Emily P. Green

  2. Office of Medical Education, University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha, NE, USA

    Gary L. Beck Dallaghan

  3. Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland, OR, USA

    Daniel J. O’Hearn

  4. Departments of Medical Education and Clinical Sciences, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL, USA

    Marcia L. Verduin

  5. Office of Medical Student Education, Robert Larner, MD College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA

    Christa H. Zehle

Authors
  1. Emily P. Green
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  2. Gary L. Beck Dallaghan
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  4. Marcia L. Verduin
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  5. Christa H. Zehle
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Emily P. Green.

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The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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Green, E.P., Beck Dallaghan, G.L., O’Hearn, D.J. et al. Establishing Fair and Ethical Medical Student Promotions Committees. Med.Sci.Educ. 28, 561–567 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-018-0582-x

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