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Ethics
The UT Medical School at Houston recognizes that in addition to intellectual capability and expert technical skills and knowledge, a good physician must have a solid and unassailable foundation and commitment to ethical behavior and principles. Patients and society at large expect and deserve no less. These principles are embedded in the life of the Medical School and its faculty.
Because these principles are so important to the Medical School, students are asked to make the same explicit commitment to them. The following are specific examples of how these principles are incorporated into Medical School life.
Ethical Pledge
Incoming students are asked to agree to and sign the following ethical pledge following their acceptance to the UT Medical School.
- I acknowledge and accept the privileges and responsibilities given to me as a physician-in-training and dedicate myself to provide care to those in need.
- I will approach all aspects of my education with honesty and integrity, embracing opportunities to learn from patients, teachers, and colleagues.
- I will always maintain the highest standards of professional conduct.
- I will certify only that which I have personally verified, and I will neither receive nor give unauthorized assistance on examinations.
- I will value the knowledge of wisdom of the physicians who have preceded me.
- I will recognize my weaknesses and strengths and strive to develop those qualities that will earn the respect of my patients, my colleagues, my family, and myself.
- I will respect the humanity, rights, and decisions of all patients and will attend to them with compassion and without bias.
- I will maintain patient confidentiality and be tactful in my words and actions.
- I will value the diversity of patients’ experiences, cultures, and beliefs because it enhances my ability to care for them and enriches my education.
- I will not forget that there is an art to medicine as well as a science and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding are integral to patient care.
- I will strive to earn the trust my patients place in me and the respect that society places upon my profession.
- I recognize the privileges afforded to me as a physician-in-training and promise not to abuse them.
- Even as a student I have a responsibility to improve the standard of health in my community, to increase access to care for the underserved, and to advance medical knowledge.
- As I accept these new responsibilities, I will not forget the importance of my own health and well-being. I will continue to value my relations with those who have supported me in the past and those who will share in my future.
- Knowing my own limitations and those of medicine, I commit myself to a lifelong journey of learning how to cure, relieve pain, and comfort with humility and compassion.
- I make these promises solemnly, freely, and upon my honor.
White Coat Ceremony
Shortly after matriculation, first-year students participate in a White Coat Ceremony, where they don white coats for the first time, recite the Hippocratic Oath and re-affirm the Ethical Pledge by signing their names in a book which is kept in the Office of Student Affairs.
This oath is sworn to at the White Coat Ceremony and at Commencement.
SCAIP
The Student Committee for Academic Integrity and Professionalism (SCAIP) was formed in 2000 to serve as an advisory board to the associate dean for student affairs on matters of integrity and professionalism and to promote an awareness of these issues among the student body and the faculty. The committee is composed of four representatives per class, two elected by the class and two appointed by the associate dean for student affairs. If a student is accused of academic dishonesty or unprofessional behavior, a voluntary adhoc subcommittee, chosen at random from the student body, may be convened to discuss the allegations and make recommendations to the associate dean about any penalty or other course of action. Ultimate jurisdiction lies with the Student Evaluation and Promotions Committee or the associate dean for student affairs, depending on the nature of the alleged infraction. A summary of the cases considered by SCAIP and their final outcomes is made available to the student body as needed.
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