2021 - 2022 COM Student Handbook

Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (KPCOM)—Osteopathic Medicine Program 2021–2022 161 6. Others may post photos of you and may “tag” you in each of the photos. It is your responsibility to make sure that these photos are appropriate and are not professionally compromising. As a general rule it is wise to “untag” yourself from any photos, and to refrain from tagging others unless you have explicit permission from them to do so. Privacy or account settings may allow you to prevent photos from being “tagged” with your information or may prevent others from seeing your tags. 7. Online discussions of specific patients should be strictly avoided, even if all identifying information is excluded. It is possible that someone could recognize the patient to whom you are referring based upon the context in which it is presented. 8. Under no circumstances should media of patients/cadavers or media depicting the body parts of patients/cadavers be displayed online (e.g., photographs, video clips, audio clips). Remember, even if you have permission, such media may be downloadable and forwarded by others. Once you post, the actions of others could lead to legal or professional consequences for you personally. 9. Consider, with care, who you add or accept as a “friend” or “connection” on your social networking site(s). 10. Do not have interactions with patients on social networking sites. This provides an opportunity for a dual relationship, which may damage the doctor-patient relationship and may have legal consequences. 11. Do not infringe upon another’s copyrighted or trademarked materials. If you post content, photos, or other media, you are acknowledging that you own or have the right to use these items. 12. Refrain from accessing social networking sites while in class, at work, or in clinical-work areas. K. Cultural Competence With the ever-increasing diversity of the population of the United States and strong evidence of racial and ethnic disparities in health care, it is important that KPCOM students address issues of culture in an effective and professional manner in the classroom and the clinic or hospital settings. Students must demonstrate an understanding of the manner in which people of diverse cultures and belief systems perceive health and illness and respond to various symptoms, diseases, and treatments. Medical students should learn to recognize and appropriately address gender and cultural biases in health care delivery, while considering first the health of the patient. Students who exhibit unprofessional and culturally offensive behavior will be referred to the SPC and/ or proper authorities for disciplinary action and may be subject to dismissal. L. Interprofessional Collaborative Practice To be prepared to provide integrated, high-quality care to patients within the nation’s current, evolving health care system, KPCOM students must: • Assert values and ethics of interprofessional practice by placing the interests, dignity, and respect of patients at the center of health care delivery and embracing the cultural diversity and differences of health care teams.