3.20. ABSENCE POLICY AND EXPECTATIONS
Updated August 2017
It is the student’s professional responsibility to review the absence policy and specific attendance requirements for all courses, clerkships and curricular activities in which he/she is involved. Students should avoid scheduling or participating in activities that directly conflict with required courses or clerkships.
Required Courses
- Students are expected to be present at ALL required-attendance sessions and final exams. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the attendance expectations for each course.
- If a student anticipates missing a required-attendance session, he/she must communicate and receive approval from the course director at a minimum of two-weeks in advance. In cases involving illness and unexpected emergencies, students should notify their course director as soon as possible submit a notification form (see below) thereafter.
- All students are required to complete the online notification form regardless of whether the absence has been approved. If the student and course director are unable to agree on the appropriateness of an absence for a required session, they are encouraged to schedule a meeting with the course director and their faculty advisor to discuss the absence further.
- Approval of all absences is at the discretion of the course director.
- If an absence is not approved it is expected that the student will make the necessary arrangements to change his/her schedule to be present.
- Students are responsible for the content and work associated with all missed sessions. Students are also expected to meet the participation requirement and contribute to their group’s learning, even for sessions missed, and must work out an equitable solution that balances the individual student’s needs with the needs of the group. Under no circumstances will an absence relieve a student of meeting all of the academic requirements of the course. If the absence request conflicts with a session or sessions that cannot be otherwise made up or completed, the student is advised that the absence may affect his or performance evaluation in the course.
- The following are considered professionalism issues that may result in a referral to Student Progress Committee
- Absence from a required session without obtaining advanced approval from the course director
- Failure to communicate with the course director
- Failure to complete the online absence notification
- Trend in number of absences across courses
- Tardiness for required sessions without obtaining advanced approval from the course director.
Please note that each student is responsible for requesting approval for his or her own absence; no group approvals will be granted.
Required Clerkships
Students are expected to attend 100% of all scheduled clerkship activities.
Students who miss more than 10% of scheduled time - for any reason - will be required to make up missed time.
Students who miss more than 20% of the total duration of a clerkship – for any reason – will be asked to reschedule the clerkship.
Students must contact the Clerkship Director to obtain advance approval for any unavoidable absence from the clerkship. Unanticipated absences for illness or emergency must be communicated to the Dlerkship Director as promptly as possible.
If a student is absent without obtaining advance approval from the Clerkship Director; the absence will be recorded and reported to the Student Progress Committee.
Approval of all absences is at the discretion of the Clerkship Director.
If an absence is not approved, it is expected that the student will make the necessary arrangements to change his/her schedule to be present.
Failure to communicate with the Clerkship Director about unavoidable absences is a potential reason for failing the clerkship.
Students are expected to seek necessary health care to maintain their physical and mental well-being. Examples of necessary health care include preventive health services, visits for acute illness, ongoing care for chronic illnesses, physical therapy, and counseling and psychological services. Consistent with their rights under University policies and the law, students have a right to privacy when seeking care.
For planned absences related to healthcare, students must contact the Clerkship Director, site director, and preceptor or patient care team in advance to coordinate time away from the clerkship. Students need not disclose the specific type of healthcare that is being sought. A student’s decision to seek healthcare during a clerkship should have no impact on his or her performance evaluation.
3.0. MSPA Studies Program Requirements and Procedures
3.1: Academic Records and Privacy of Student Record Information
3.2: Registration and Study List
3.3: Data Security and Privacy (HIPAA)
3.6: Ethical Conduct of Biomedical Research
3.7: Evaluation Completion Requirements
3.8: Industry Interactions Policy
3.9: Leaves of Absence and Discontinuation and Reinstatement
3.10: Malpractice Liability for MSPA Studies program Students
3.11: Medical Health Requirements and Immunizations
3.12: Policies and Resources for Encryption and Securing Devices
3.14: Stanford Medicine Policy for the Removal and Transport of PHI
3.15: Stanford University School of Medicine Medical Education Research Initiative
3.16: Surgical Procedures for MSPA Studies Program Students
3.17: Universal Precautions and Needlestick Protocol
3.18: Stanford Health Care/Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Computer Access for PA Students (EPIC)
3.19: School of Medicine Learning Spaces
3.20: Absence Policy and Expectations
3.21: N95 Respirator Mask Fit Requirements for Medical Students
3.22: School of Medicine Dress Code Guidelines for the Clinical Setting