Sessions Information

  • May 7, 2015
    8:30 am - 9:45 am
    Session Type: AALS Programs
    Session Capacity: N/A
    Location: N/A
    Room: N/A
    Floor: N/A

    One of America's most highly regarded medical schools, the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), has developed procedures for reporting observed lack of professionalism during clinical rotations. A pattern of unprofessional conduct can lead to academic probation and even dismissal from medical school, despite passing grades. Initial research at USF showed that students who had received such reports were twice as likely to be disciplined once in practice, especially if reports indicated: (1) poor reliability and responsibility, (2) lack of self-improvement and adaptability, or (3) poor initiative and motivation. In contrast, standardized test scores and grades did not identify who would have disciplinary problems. Subsequent research including two additional medical schools indicated that disciplined physicians were three times more likely to have displayed unprofessional behavior in medical school. Like the directors of medical school rotations, clinic teachers are uniquely situated to observe and assess professional conduct, but to date nothing like the UCSF approach has been developed in legal education.  Development of well designed and tested forms and procedures for reporting on unprofessional conduct will make the wealth of information gained by clinic teachers of considerable potential benefit both to the law school as an institution and ultimately the profession. After reviewing the medical school information, participants will be invited to share any approaches they have developed for documenting unprofessional conduct, examine in small groups sample forms developed at UCSF, and begin to draft comparable forms that could be used in law school clinics and externships. 

Session Speakers
Georgia State University College of Law
Concurrent Session Speaker

University of Miami School of Law
Concurrent Session Speaker

Session Fees

Fees information is not available at this time.