Medical Student Bill of Rights

A Concise Statement of Medical Students’ Rights and Responsibilities

MEDICAL STUDENTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO:

1. Receive high-quality training in an institution committed to their mentoring and education, which will prepare them to become competent, compassionate and ethical physicians.
2. Shape the content of their education.
3. Have meaningful and significant representation at their individual institutions and in state/national organizations on matters concerning all aspects of their training.
4. Learn in a safe and humane environment where education is the primary goal, without compromising patient care.
5. Be informed of their institutions’ policies and procedures pertaining to promotion, graduation and student well-being.
6. Take a leave-of-absence for personal reasons (e.g., gender-neutral child and family leave, etc.) without fear of recrimination, dismissal or retribution.
7. Access confidential, timely and appropriate health care and/or support systems in the event of personal and/or health-related difficulties.
8. Expect confidential, timely and fair systems for evaluation/feedback regarding academic and clinical performance and to address individual/systemic grievances without fear of recrimination, dismissal or retribution.
9. Expect due process at their home institution with fair representation in hearings, mediations and appeals.
10. Complete their education and training if in good standing and to continue their medical education in the event that their home institution ceases to operate.
11. Decline or object to participate in a medical/surgical procedure based on moral, ethical or religious convictions without penalization. Such refusal to participate shall not be based on a patient’s race, age, religion, sex, disability, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and/or sexual orientation.
12. Have an adequate testing environment with appropriate accommodations.

MEDICAL STUDENTS HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO:

1. Commit themselves to the conscientious, respectful and thoughtful service of their patients.
2. Pursue excellence vigorously and independently in their lifelong education.
3. Educate their patients and colleagues.
4. Conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner.
5. Notify the appropriate body in a timely manner of any problems that adversely affect their training, and to participate in the process of program improvement and development.
6. Pursue mental and physical support for any conditions that might compromise their educational goals or patient care.

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THIS MEDICAL STUDENT BILL OF RIGHTS APPLIES TO ALL STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF RACE, AGE, RELIGION, SEX, DISABILITY, GENDER IDENTITY, ETHNICITY, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

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Revised 7-9-99

Copyright ©2008 American Medical Student Association
(800) 767-2266 • amsa@amsa.org

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