News Archive

There is a lack of national consistency in how Australian medical schools deal with the problematic behaviour of their students, according to a researcher at The University of Western Australia.

Associate Professor Paul McGurgan and his team from UWA's School of Women's and Infant's Health carried out a survey of Australian medical schools to describe their fitness-to-practise policies.  The results were published in this month's Medical Journal of Australia .

"Professionalism (and its assessment) has been receiving increased attention by medical schools, particularly since international research demonstrated that poor professional performance in medical school was a marker for subsequent medical board disciplinary measures for post-graduate doctors," Associate Professor McGurgan said.

Associate Professor McGurgan said many medical schools had responded to this emphasis on professionalism by developing fitness-to-practice policies.  However, Australia-wide, there was marked variation in the criteria used by individual schools.  He recommends a nationally consistent approach to the management of poorly behaving students.

"Medical students, unlike those of any other discipline, have certain privileges and responsibilities which necessitate different standards of conduct, behaviour and professionalism," he said.

Behaviours of concern relating to medical student fitness to practise are: criminal conviction or caution; drug or alcohol misuse; aggressive, violent or threatening behaviour; persistent inappropriate attitude or behaviour; cheating or plagiarising; dishonesty or fraud, including dishonesty outside the professional role; unprofessional behaviour or attitudes; health concerns and management of these concerns.

Associate Professor McGurgan delivered his findings at a national forum on the issue.

Media references

Associate Professor Paul McGurgan (UWA School of Women's and Infant's Health)  (+61 8)  9340 1323
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716