Mistreatment Handling and Resolution Protocols

All mistreatment reports submitted through the portal are instantly notified to the associate and assistant deans of the Learning Environment — Education and Professionalism, as well as the director of the Office of Equity & Title IX (ETIX). Upon receipt, ETIX reviews the report to assess its jurisdiction. If the report falls within its scope, they respond to the reporter and follow up. If not, the report is forwarded to our office. We will follow their protocol for evaluation and resolution.

The report may be referred to various bodies and individuals, including the Council on Curriculum, Office of the Learning Environment — Inclusive Excellence, Student Affairs, Honors Council, GME, department chairs, clerkship directors, residency program directors and others. The Office of the Learning Environment monitors reports until they are resolved and provides updates to the Expect Respect Committee (ERC). An annual report is presented to the Coordinating Committee and the dean.

Review our mistreatment resolution protocols and procedures summary diagram for more information or follow the steps outlined in the next section.

Resolution Protocols and Procedures Summary 

Expect Respect Committee Process for Mistreatment Reports

Step 1

Reports are received by the Office of Equity & Title IX (ETIX) and the associate and assistant deans for the Office of the Learning Environment.

Step 2

If the report falls under the jurisdiction of ETIX, they evaluate and determine if an investigation is warranted. ETIX then consults with the Expect Respect Committee (ERC) and other administration. ETIX collaborates with ERC on next steps and closure.

If the report does not fall under the jurisdiction of ETIX, the Office of the Learning Environment determines who the report implicates and passes it to the appropriate group(s) to handle (outlined in step 3).

Step 3

Reports implicating students are handled through collaborative evaluation by associate deans of Student Affairs, the Learning Environment, Graduate Health Professions and/or the Honor Council.

Reports implicating patients are handled by Student Affairs, docents, program directors and education team coordinators for wellness/strategies for response to poor behavior. This can involve hospital leadership if egregious.

Reports implicating residents or fellows are handled by the chief medical officer of graduate medical education and/or the associate dean of health professions and may involve associate deans at affiliate hospitals.

Reports implicating staff are handled by the employee’s manager and UMKC Human Resources.

Reports implicating faculty are handled by the academic department chair, vice academic chair or associate dean/chief medical officer at affiliate hospitals. If necessary, ETIX and UMKC Human Resources may also be involved.

Reports implicating school or hospital leadership are handled by ETIX.