Dealing with "rogue" medical students: we need a nationally consistent approach based on "case law"

There is strong agreement in the medical profession and among academic commentators about why professionalism has become an important focus of medical regulation and education, and about the need to respond to serious instances of unprofessional behaviour among doctors and medical students. Admission processes which include interviews do not prevent the entry of a small number of students who behave extremely poorly. Fair, reliable assessment of students' attitudes and behaviour is achievable, but the challenge of preventing the progress of students who behave poorly through academic assessment remains. A nationally consistent approach to the management of poorly behaved students within the academic program is vital in the interests of equity across programs and protection of the public.