Table 2.

Examples of a suboptimal learning environment ^a.

Repeated lack of courtesy toward students, which may leave students feeling ignored or disenfranchised; Lack of courtesy or respect for patients or patient care team membersb; Lack of clear learning objectives Excessive, repetitive “work without education” (the expectation that students perform an excessive number of tasks that are not related to teaching, learning or high-quality patient care or that are not appropriately supervised); Lack of teachers (faculty or residents) or insufficient time to ensure that education takes place during rounds or clinical encounters and that students receive constructive, performance-based feedback. Poor communication between teacher and student; Significant lack of attention paid to teaching and the role of learners, such that students are only allowed to “shadow,” rather than actively participate in patient care activities.

^a Adapted from: Gan R et al. When the learning environment is sub-optimal: exploring medical students perceptions of ‘mistreatment.’ Acad Med. 2014: 89:608–617.

^b May also properly be considered as an example of student mistreatment.