Body
Unit Policy
Title
Department of Family Medicine: Policy on Clinical Faculty Professional Behaviors
Introduction
Purpose
To promote, preserve, and encourage a positive workplace culture in clinical settings by defining the reporting and response mechanisms for unprofessional behavior by clinical faculty. This approach is intended to impose expectations and corrective action processes similar to those in place for UNC Health staff who work in Family Medicine.
Scope
All clinical faculty employed in the Department of Family Medicine.
Policy
Policy Statement
I. Reporting System
Anyone who works in any clinical venue of the Department of Family Medicine (Family Medicine Centers, inpatient service, labor and delivery, Chatham Hospital, etc.) is encouraged to report behaviors that may compromise a culture of safety, reliability, and accountability, and have it investigated. Such behaviors may include actions or inactions, such as timeliness related to clinic starts or completion of charts, and verbal and nonverbal communication. Employees may report (via email or in person) the concern to a responsible party such as the UNC Family Medicine Center Practice Manager, the Medical Director or Assistant Medical Director of the Family Medicine Center, the service line leader for maternal and child health or family medicine inpatient service, the clinical leads at Chatham Hospital, or the Vice Chair for Clinical Excellence.
II. Response
If a behavior is egregious or requires a mandated investigation (e.g., violence), it will be brought to the attention of the Chair immediately. Otherwise, the responsible party to whom the incident is reported will investigate the incident. If the action merits feedback to the colleague engaged in the behavior, the responsible party will address the behavior with that individual based on the Vanderbilt Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy Pyramid:
- Informal Intervention - This is a private, respectful, and objective discussion that provides feedback and encourages the colleague to reflect and self-regulate the behavior.
- Level 1 Intervention (Awareness Conversation) – If the behavior continues despite an earlier conversation, a more formal meeting is scheduled at which the data is reviewed, the colleague’s viewpoint is obtained and self-awareness assessed, and the colleague is asked to identify ways to address the issues. The meeting is documented and follow-up is agreed upon.
- Level 2 Intervention (Authority Conversation) - When the behavior persists as a pattern, a formal meeting is held with the goal of developing a plan to address the behavior with the clear setting of a timeline, surveillance, and consequences if the behavior continues. The meeting is documented and follow-up is agreed upon.
- Level 3 Intervention (Disciplinary Process) – With persistent problematic behavior, a formal disciplinary process is undertaken that is commensurate with the problematic behavior. At this level, the chair of the department is involved.
Contact Information
Primary Contact
Name: Karen Halpert, MD – Vice Chair of Clinical Excellence
Telephone: 984-974-4675
Email: Karen_Halpert@med.unc.edu
Other Contacts
Name: Kevin Tate, MHA – Vice Chair for Administration
Telephone: 984-974-4669
Email: ktate@med.unc.edu