Engaging All Stakeholders to Create a Trusted, Data-Driven, Process Improvement Approach to Addressing Learner...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Professional Development
• Patient Safety & Quality Improvement

Background:

• Learner mistreatment is a persistent challenge in academic medicine, despite accreditation standards.
• Existing systems for preventing and responding to mistreatment vary, with limited best practice literature.
• External stressors like the COVID-19 pandemic may exacerbate learning environment challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a comprehensive mistreatment prevention and response system implemented in academic medicine.
• To evaluate process and outcome measures related to learner mistreatment reporting and awareness.
• To provide lessons learned for other institutions seeking to improve their mistreatment systems.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of an expanded policy on teacher-learner conduct and a graduated response protocol.
• Introduction of an online reporting system and a graduate medical education exit survey.
• Development of a communication campaign, professional development, data dashboard, and dissemination plan.

Main Results:

• An increasing trend in reported mistreatment incidents, including confidential reports indicating growing learner trust.
• Consistent improvements in learners' awareness of mistreatment policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated increases in learner satisfaction with the reporting process.

Conclusions:

• A multi-faceted approach involving clear policies, accessible reporting, and robust communication can enhance learner trust and reporting of mistreatment.
• Continuous improvement strategies informed by data are crucial for addressing mistreatment in academic medicine.
• Lessons learned emphasize the importance of stakeholder partnerships, transparency, and feedback mechanisms.