Medical Student Handbook

URMC Policy of Confidentiality

Table of Contents Handbook Homepage POLICIES & GUIDELINES - Privacy & Access to Academic Records - Disabilities Technical Standards Policy - Assistance for Individual w/Disabilities - ADA Ombudsperson - Mistreatment of Medical Students - Sexual Harassment - Assessment Data - Religious Observance - The U.S. Medical Licensing Examination - Alcohol Use On School of Medicine Property - Impairment Due to Substance Abuse - Self Disclosure in the Course of Learning - Confidentiality - Teaching Exercises with Student Subjects - Video Equipment Use - Regulatory, Health and Other Requirements --- Infection Control --- In-Service Education Competency Exam --- Certification in Use of Clinical Information System --- Medical Student CPR Certification --- University Health Requirements MD Student Responsibility, Conduct, & Academic Policies ACADEMIC ISSUES - Verification of Eligibility for Matriculation - Verification of Academic Credentials - Completion of Required Experiences - Remedial Work - Completion of Academic Deficiencies - Grading Policy up to Class of 2002 - Double Helix Grading Policy - Student Assessment Guide --- Comprehensive Assessments - MD with Distinction - AOA and Dean's Letter Rankings - In-Depth Experience - Plagiarism - Absences from Classes & Academic Responsibilities - Policy on Time Away From Clerkships - Class Attendance - Leaves of Absence - Year-Out Fellowships - Drop/Add Deadline Policy SUPPORT SERVICES - Academic Support Services - University Health Service - Counseling and Mental Health Services - Chaplain's Office - Division of Medical Informatics - Women in Science, Dentistry & Medicine (WISDM) - Assistance for Pregnant Medical Students - Miner Library ADVISING & STUDENT ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS - Advisory Dean Program - Student Enrichment Programs - Student-Sponsored Symposium CONSUMER & LEGAL ASSISTANCE - Integrity Hotline - University Housing - Executing Legal Documents - Consumer and Legal Assistance OFFICES FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION - Medical Education - Student Services Center - Advisory Deans - Student Affairs Office - Registrar's Office - Financial Aid Office - Bursar's Office - Office for Ethnic & Multicultural Affairs - Admissions Office - Medical Alumni Affairs - Student Enrichment Programs - Graduate Studies - Offices for Educational Research - Curricular Affairs Office - Facilities for Students - Student Computing DOUBLE HELIX CURRICULUM MEDICAL EDUCATION OBJECTIVES

Please note that all confidentiality policies for Strong Health employees and health care professionals apply fully to medical students at all times.

Strong Health employees and health care professionals possess sensitive, privileged information about patients and their care. Patients properly expect that this information will be kept confidential. The System takes very seriously any violation of a patient's confidentiality. Discussing a patient's medical condition, or providing any information to other unauthorized persons, will have serious consequences for the disclosing party. Personnel should not discuss patients in public or with their families.

Each provider is the owner of the medical record which documents a patient's condition and the services received by the patient. Medical records are strictly confidential, which means that they may not be released to outside parties except with the written consent of the patient or in other limited circumstances. Special protections apply to mental health records, records of drug and alcohol treatment, and HIV related information. Medical records must not be physically removed from the provider's office or facility, altered, or destroyed. Personnel who have access to medical records must take pains to preserve their confidentiality and integrity, and nobody is permitted access to the medical record of any patient without a legitimate, work-related reason for so doing. Any unauthorized release of or access to medical records should be reported to a supervisor or the Compliance Officer. Even for educational purposes, students may never photocopy a patient record or remove a patient record from the clinical setting.

New York State has enacted a series of computer crime laws that are designed to punish and deter computer crime. In compliance with the law, Strong Health prohibits unauthorized access to its computer system, either directly or by network or telephone. An individual who does not have a legitimate password is unauthorized to gain access. The System also prohibits the destruction or corruption of electronically stored or processed data. Persons who violate these rules will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

(Source: URMC Compliance Manual)