FtP question 3: Medical school or university concerns
Has a medical school or university raised concerns about your professionalism or behaviour, that led to a formal process?
The formal process could be to support you, or to investigate the concerns. Usually a committee, hearing or similar decides what action to take after the process has finished.
What you need to tell us about medical school or university concerns
We only need to know about concerns that led to a formal process. If someone raised a concern about your professionalism or behaviour, and this led to a formal process it usually means you needed to take action to stay fit to continue your studies.
If the concerns related to allegations of sexual misconduct or violence, you need to tell us about this when you apply, even if the formal process ended with no further action or investigation.
If the concerns related to anything else, please follow the guidance below and tell us about all relevant matters when you apply.
What do we mean by ‘concerns about your professionalism or behaviour’?
A medical school or university could raise concerns if anything happens during your medical education or in your private life that falls below their expectations. Some examples of concerns include:
- bullying or harassing others
- cheating or copying someone else’s work (plagiarism)
- continued poor attendance during your studies, training or clinical placements
- failing to maintain appropriate boundaries with others
- falsifying signatures on documents
- inappropriate use of social media.
What do we mean by a ‘formal process’?
A medical school or university could start a formal process to investigate the concerns or refer them to a panel, committee or hearing. Examples can include:
- formally recorded investigations
- a referral to a formal panel, committee or hearing (for example a student fitness to practise hearing or conduct committee).
Outcomes of a formal process can include:
- a formal written warning
- written notification of the outcome of a panel, committee or hearing which included the requirement for you to take any action(s) to address the concerns
- a written letter from the panel, committee or hearing setting out a structured support plan that you were required to follow to address the concerns.
If your medical school or university raised concerns that led to a formal process, and this resulted in any action being taken against you, you need to tell us about it when you apply.
If the concerns relate to allegations of sexual misconduct or violence, you need to tell us about it when you apply even if the final decision was to take no action against you.
Ongoing investigations and any new concerns raised after you have submitted your application
You need to tell us if your medical school or university is still investigating a concern about your professionalism or behaviour at the point you apply for registration.
You also need to tell us if any new concerns about your professionalism or behaviour are raised by your medical school or university whilst your application is still ongoing.
What you don’t need to tell us about medical school or university concerns
Where no formal investigation process took place, or no action was taken against you
If the concerns relate to allegations of sexual misconduct or violence, you need to tell us about it when you apply even if the final decision was to take no action against you.
For all other concerns, you don’t need to tell us if the concerns raised didn’t lead to a formal process, or the outcome of any formal process was no further action.
Your medical school or university may make a record of any concerns for future reference, that haven’t led to a formal investigation process or referral to a panel/committee or hearing. If this is your situation you don’t need to tell us about this when you apply.
Verbal warnings from your medical school or university
You don’t need to tell us about verbal warnings, even if confirmation was given to you in writing or by email. However, if this outcome was issued following a concern relating to allegations of sexual misconduct or violence, you need to tell us about it when you apply.
Offers of support in relation to your professionalism or behaviour
If your medical school or university raised concerns relating to an allegation of sexual misconduct or violence, you need to tell us about this when you apply, even if the final decision was to offer you support in the form of a mentor or professionalism support tutor, with no other action being taken against you.
For all other types of concerns raised in relation to your professionalism or behaviour, you don’t need to tell us if the final decision was to offer you support in the form of a mentor or professionalism support tutor, with no other action being taken against you.
What to do if you need to tell us about medical school or university concerns
If you need to tell us about concerns raised by your medical school or university about your professionalism or behaviour, answer yes to fitness to practise question 3 on your application and give the following details:
- detailed information about the issue that led to the concern being raised, including relevant date(s)
- details of the formal process, who was involved and what the outcome was
- information about any action taken and the outcome of the formal process
- contact names and details (address, email and telephone number) of person(s) involved at the medical school or university. We may contact them to gather further information or to verify the information you have provided
- any other additional information you want us to consider.
I’m still not sure whether I need to tell you about a concern raised by a medical school or university. What should I do?
Use our ‘What to tell us when you apply’ tool to help you decide whether to tell us about concerns raised about your professionalism or behaviour by your medical school or university. If you’ve used the tool and you’re still not sure get in touch with one of our advisers.
