disciplinary actions in residency

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Ex chief resident here.....

If the PD has it out for you then generally speaking you are screwed.

However that being said, we did have people who got into trouble during residency and they were able to make it thru despite having a "disciplinary action" on their resume.

Activities involving patients are generally worse than non-clinical care disciplinary actions. Yes, they may force you to read "ethics" books or write some self-analytical paper. As long as you take it seriously and show genuine insight and remorse for your behavior it should be accepted. The only context I would see it not being accepted is if you obviously blow off the assignment or try to blame others instead of taking the heat yourself.

Bear in mind that just because a PD puts you on disciplinary probation DOES NOT mean they want to fire you. Many times, their hands are tied by state law which FORCES them to report residents to state medical boards or to put them on disciplinary action for certain things.

I've heard of PDs "looking the other way" who actually got reprimanded by the medical board, so the PDs have people watching over them too.
 
It's blindingly obvious from your previous posts which program you are in. If the people in charge of that program find this post it's now obvious to then who you are.

My advice would be -

1, Sanitise your posts here, pronto. If you are identified, the things you have been saying here could be enough to get you kicked out, particularly when added to your current disciplinary woes.

2. Any time any disciplinary action is taken against you, it puts your future at a program in doubt. Whatever your personal feelings about the situation, you need to put them aside and look at the situation coldly and rationally. Accept (however hard it is) that the people in charge of the program are in the right (any personal view you have to the contrary became irrelevant as soon as disciplinary action was taken against you). Do what they want you to, and do it in a way that makes them think you are making a wholesale change in your attitude and actions relating to whatever it was they think went wrong.

3. Take a look at the other threads here about people who got into trouble in their programs, didn't take it seriously or refused to accept it, and then had to leave. They all have difficulty getting back into another program, and many of them never do, leaving them with very limited options for clinical medicine or well-paid work, often with big loans due for repayment.

4. Then keep your head down, and do everything which will help you successfully complete your residency, and nothing that won't. When you have completed your residency will be soon enough to put right the wrongs of the world.
 
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Too funny. But at least someone this out of touch with reality isn't seeing patients. My post above is now a total nonsequiter without the context.
 
shopsteward said:
It's blindingly obvious from your previous posts which program you are in. If the people in charge of that program find this post it's now obvious to then who you are.

My advice would be -

1, Sanitise you posts here, pronto. If you are identified, the things you have been saying here could be enough to get you kicked out, particularly when added to your current disciplinary woes.

2. Any time any disciplinary action is taken against you, it puts your future at a program in doubt. Whatever your personal feelings about the situation, you need to put them aside and look at the situation coldly and rationally. Accept (however hard it is) that the people in charge of the program are in the right (any personal view you have to the contrary became irrelevant as soon as disciplinary action was taken against you). Do what they want you to, and do it in a way that makes them think you are making a wholesale change in your attitude and actions relating to whatever it was they think went wrong.

3. Take a look at the other threads here about people who got into trouble in their programs, didn't take it seriously or refused to accept it, and then had to leave. They all have difficulty getting back into another program, and many of them never do, leaving them with very limited options for clinical medicine or well-paid work, often with bog loans due for repayment.

4. Then keep your head down, and do everything which will help you successfully complete your residency, and nothing that won't. When you have completed your residency will be soon enough to put right the wrongs of the world.
Click to expand...

I suspect by virtue of this recent post about disciplinary action, his identity, and the manner of his posts, have already been discovered. Since posting criticisms of your own program on the internet is not a violation of patient care nor of professionalism, but would no less draw the ire of your superiors, his program is probably finding little things about his performance to nitpick about.

To Member0007 I suggest that you follow every little thing that your ridiculous program suggests, even if it sounds demeaning now. Since it seems your butt is on the line, record every day with a concealed mini handheld recorder (if this is legal in your state) so that all interactions between you and staff are accurately documented, just in case you need to use it later. Read that stupid book on professionalism, or just find a Cliffnotes version of it, and smile and admit "the error of your ways" and how you have learned from the experience.

If at all possible, transfer out into another program using the NRMP. If you're in your last year, just tough it out and write the boards, and then escape.
 
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Law2Doc said:
HIPPA violations perhaps. Or reenacting Weekend at Bernie's.
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Facebook pics of that re-enactment:meanie:
Publicly bashing one's own institution is generally looked down on too.
 
Substance said:
I suspect by virtue of this recent post about disciplinary action, his identity, and the manner of his posts, have already been discovered. Since posting criticisms of your own program on the internet is not a violation of patient care nor of professionalism, but would no less draw the ire of your superiors, his program is probably finding little things about his performance to nitpick about.

To Member0007 I suggest that you follow every little thing that your ridiculous program suggests, even if it sounds demeaning now. Since it seems your butt is on the line, record every day with a concealed mini handheld recorder (if this is legal in your state) so that all interactions between you and staff are accurately documented, just in case you need to use it later. Read that stupid book on professionalism, or just find a Cliffnotes version of it, and smile and admit "the error of your ways" and how you have learned from the experience.

If at all possible, transfer out into another program using the NRMP. If you're in your last year, just tough it out and write the boards, and then escape.
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clearly, you live in a twilight zone if you think that your well meaning advice would work with sociopaths.

anyway, what are the usual reason for disciplinary actions?
 
The "usual reason" why residents get disciplined is lack of professionalism, which is also the usual reason why medical students and practicing physicians get disciplined. Like the others have said, learn something from this. Resident evaluation is subjective, and there are rules you have to play by if you want to succeed at this game. So unless you decide that you don't want to finish residency, you should read the book they want you to read and write the paper. Also, don't complain about the situation to anyone who is in any way affiliated with your program, and don't do whatever they disciplined you for again. (I hope that last thing would be obvious, but you never know based on some of the posts by disciplined residents that we see here....)
 
member0007 said:
right, so reporting repeat incidents of near violent outbursts and public humiliation is unprofessional behavior. i suppose in the toxic hierarchy of certain institutions that would be considered unprofessional.
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Those institutions are real and also prime examples of "social Darwinism." The administrators wrap themselves in robes of self-delusion and punish anyone who doesn't get with the program. They often use terms like "Old School" to justify their disregard for ethics and regulations.

And, unfortunately, there is no immediate win for you. They are building a case against you. You must do everything they say. You must also carry an audio recorder when interacting with these administrators (in one case, a PD in DC was recorded confessing to a resident who was kicked out of the program for reporting duty hour violations that "the stuff in the letter against you is just for the lawyers"...this is why you keep a recording device on you!). They will play all sorts of dirty tricks to discredit you.

But you are not alone. And from now on, you will always be on the radar, until you finish residency.
 
johnsmithdr11th said:
Those institutions are real and also prime examples of "social Darwinism." The administrators wrap themselves in robes of self-delusion and punish anyone who doesn't get with the program. They often use terms like "Old School" to justify their disregard for ethics and regulations.

And, unfortunately, there is no immediate win for you. They are building a case against you. You must do everything they say. You must also carry an audio recorder when interacting with these administrators (in one case, a PD in DC was recorded confessing to a resident who was kicked out of the program for reporting duty hour violations that "the stuff in the letter against you is just for the lawyers"...this is why you keep a recording device on you!). They will play all sorts of dirty tricks to discredit you.

But you are not alone. And from now on, you will always be on the radar, until you finish residency.
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of course, luckily, I and ariana huffington are chill.

anyway, all kidding aside, what gives with the people running medical care? for one, it's for profit. the only people making any money are surgeons in general or whatever surgery field. the rest of workforce is not doing well. for example, ob/gyn is integral to the community and medicine, exactly how much are they being paid. peds and fm is even more integral to medicine and medical care, what are these doctors getting reimbursed without getting creative with accounting 😉

seriously, surgeons are sucking the money out of healthcare, dollars upon dollars. as a pathology doc, we are all sick of your bs for profit nonsense. we would rather be reimbursed for professional fees based on expertise than every single specimen you take out of a patient.

don't mess with me. i will bring the force. this is a warning.

back off.
 
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member0007 said:
don't mess with me. i will bring the force. this is a warning.

back off.
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Unless you finish residency you won't be bringing any force anywhere.

Don't immolate yourself on the pyre of self-righteousness.
 
member0007 said:
of course, luckily, I and ariana huffington are chill.

anyway, all kidding aside, what gives with the people running medical care? for one, it's for profit. the only people making any money are surgeons in general or whatever surgery field. the rest of workforce is not doing well. for example, ob/gyn is integral to the community and medicine, exactly how much are they being paid. peds and fm is even more integral to medicine and medical care, what are these doctors getting reimbursed without getting creative with accounting 😉

seriously, surgeons are sucking the money out of healthcare, dollars upon dollars. as a pathology doc, we are all sick of your bs for profit nonsense. we would rather be reimbursed for professional fees based on expertise than every single specimen you take out of a patient.

don't mess with me. i will bring the force. this is a warning.

back off.
Click to expand...


There is a difference between the people who run healthcare and the people who run academic medicine. Residencies, medical schools, and teaching hospitals are a small (though prominent) part of the healthcare universe.
 
member0007 said:
of course, luckily, I and ariana huffington are chill.

anyway, all kidding aside, what gives with the people running medical care? for one, it's for profit. the only people making any money are surgeons in general or whatever surgery field. the rest of workforce is not doing well. for example, ob/gyn is integral to the community and medicine, exactly how much are they being paid. peds and fm is even more integral to medicine and medical care, what are these doctors getting reimbursed without getting creative with accounting 😉

seriously, surgeons are sucking the money out of healthcare, dollars upon dollars. as a pathology doc, we are all sick of your bs for profit nonsense. we would rather be reimbursed for professional fees based on expertise than every single specimen you take out of a patient.

don't mess with me. i will bring the force. this is a warning.

back off.
Click to expand...

You are incorrect. There are plenty of areas of medicine which are getting paid the same as surgeons per hour worked. Obviously if you work more, then you will earn more (which includes most surgeons).

Also the "people running healthcare" (as you have been put it) have been decreasing subspecialty pay and increasing primary care pay nearly EVERY year for the past decade. It quite obvious they are trying to increase the financial reward for these areas of medicine. Do you expect things to change overnight?
 
is academic probation along the same lines of disciplinary action? or is it something totally different?
 
what was the reason for being on disciplinary action or academic probation?
 
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member0007 said:
what was the reason for being on disciplinary action or academic probation?
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if the PD and attendings feel ur performance is not up to par, they put you into academic probation. they give you about 3 months to improve. if so, ur off the hook, if not, or other disciplinary actions have happened during that time, further action is taken, such as ACGME trial with the decision to stay, dismissal, nonrenewal, or termination. this happened at my program.
 
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