Evaluation Participation Policy

All students are expected to participate in the evaluation system at PLFSOM. The expectations are set out in the Faculty Evaluation & Reporting Policy and the Course Evaluation & Reporting Policy and the expectations laid out below are synopsized from these policies. (http://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/som/ome/CEPC/policies.aspx)

Evaluations expected of students consist of course and teaching evaluations. Expectations depend on where a student is in their course of study. Students in the MS1 & MS2 years are expected to complete a minimum of:

For students in their clerkship years, the expectations are:

M1 & M2 students will be assigned faculty to evaluate. In the event that the student does not believe they saw the faculty member, s/he is expected to decline the evaluation and complete a voluntary evaluation on the faculty member of their choice (evaluation of Spanish faculty is encouraged). M3 & M4 students are expected to choose the individuals they evaluate.

Participation in evaluations is considered an indicator of both professional citizenship and general professionalism. Throughout their careers, physicians are required to submit paperwork under time limits and other pressures. In many ways, the evaluation system is a platform for students to begin to learn the skills for dealing with such demands.

Evaluations completed by students are used for curricular review/improvement and faculty accountability. Course results, reported in aggregate after grades are submitted, are provided to curriculum committees, course directors, faculty, deans and department chairpersons. Faculty/resident results are reported to the specific faculty/resident and their supervisors. Identified trends of concern are also reportable to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and the Associate Dean for Medical Education. In addition to curricular review/improvement and faculty accountability functions, accreditation and research drives the expectation of participation. Curriculum reviews at the end of each course, year, and every 3 years include the results of evaluations. Evaluation ratings for faculty are used both for performance reviews and promotion and tenure applications.

LCME requires that schools have a robust evaluation system with high levels of student involvement. Research indicates that professionalism at the undergraduate medical education level is predictive of later professionalism issues. On these bases, we have established consequences for non-compliance.

Consequences for non-compliance:

All students will receive professionalism assessments at the end of each required evaluation period. The assessments indicate if the student met the expectation, was late (evaluations close for participation the day after the deadline), or failed to submit one or more evaluations. Additionally, students may receive an assessment on their communication skills as appropriate.

The professional citizenship assessments contribute to the College Mentor annual summaries. For year one, this will be a formative report so that the student knows what areas need improvement. For year two, this will be a summative comment that will be included in the Medical School Performance Evaluation (MSPE or Dean’s letter) that is distributed to residency application sites. (See Professional Accountability policy ) Students may challenge comments in their portfolio. (See Challenging Student Records or Grades policy ).

Information about assignments, any changes, or other information about evaluation requirements will be communicated via email. Students are expected to read emails in their entirety and request clarifications before the deadline. Students will not receive warnings prior to receiving professionalism assessments. Students may view assessments in their e-portfolios in the evaluations tab.