Promotions committees: a role in regulation of the profession of medicine

Abstract

profession is defined by three characteristics: mastery of a body of knowledge, the ideal of service to the client, and as a result is granted autonomy by society. It is expected with the autonomy, that the professional will practice control of its members. Medical school is integral to the development of a professional and control of the profession. Promotions committees are responsible for determining which students are have acceptable academic performance and professional behavior to allow them to be promoted and graduate. The purpose of this study was to determine what behaviors and performance brought students to the attention of the promotions committee and what were the recommendations or sanctions of the committee? Second, how did changes in the format of the promotions committee from course directors to faculty following the students longitudinally, change the issues identified and actions prescribed? Finally, the study examined the relationship of the promotions committee recommendations and sanctions by the state medical boards. In conclusion, for one school, academic performance is the major reason for identification and recommendations from the promotions committee. The change in the promotions committee had some minimal effect to increase attention on professional behaviors. Finally, the majority of graduates who were disciplined by state medical boards, were not identified or sanctioned by the medical school promotions committee. However, there are a number of students who have sanctions by promotions committees who do not later have disciplinary actions.