Professionalism/Code of Conduct

Professionalism, maintaining a high standard of professional and ethical behaviour, and an adherence to the codes of conduct governing conflict of interest is at the core of the values of healthcare and the Department of Medicine (DoM) at the University of Toronto.

All faculty members must complete an Annual Disclosure form that will be requested along with annual activity reports at initial appointment.

Sustained demonstration of professional behaviour is a requirement for full-time faculty members to pass their Continuing Faculty Appointment Review.

Unprofessional behaviour will not be tolerated and the Department of Medicine maintains a zero tolerance policy towards any breaches of professionalism. This includes, but is not limited to: creating a hostile work environment, harassment, intimidation, discrimination, failure to disclose and manage conflicts of interest, inappropriate relationships with industry, violations of boundaries, failure to fulfill professional duties, and research misconduct. Further details of what constitutes professional/unprofessional behaviour can be found on the Faculty of Medicine Website.

Below are a series of documents and links that provide resources on professionalism.

• The Clinical Faculty Advocate – Dr. Adrian Brown (primary) and Dr. Maureen Trudeau (co-lead)
• Office of the Ombudsperson
• Faculty of Medicine Resources on Professionalism
• Relationships with Industry
• Standards of Professional Behaviour for Medical Clinical Faculty
• Policy on Conflict of Interest - Academic Staff
• Policy for Clinical Faculty
• Procedures Manual for the Policy for Clinical (MD) Faculty

The TAHSN Hospitalsalso have resources on ethical conduct as well as ombuds offices that can provide guidance on professionalism.