GUIDELINE:  JOB SHADOWING


*** UNDER REVIEW ***
 
Several high schools in the province have initiated job shadowing programmes which have students observing in an occupational setting.  Some physicians have been approached to allow one or more students to spend a day in a clinical setting with them. 
The Council for the College of Physicians and Surgeons has approved a guideline that will allow limited job shadowing of physicians by high school students.
 
1. Prerequisites:
   a. The physician must be confident that the student is mature enough to handle the responsibility of confidentiality and to interact appropriately with patients.
   b. Pre-counselling regarding the absolute necessity for complete confidentiality and appropriate demeanour will be provided by the physician.
      i.    Expectations regarding dress and grooming will be provided in advance.
   c. The student must sign an oath of confidentiality.
   d. Where job shadowing will take place in a publicly administered setting, the physician will be in compliance with any board policies regarding job shadowing.
2. The student must always be identified and introduced as a high school student.  There must be no possibility that the patient will confuse the student with a medical student. 3. The presence of the student must not interfere with or impede the doctor/patient interaction. 4. Each patient must be asked permission for the student to be present.  The response must be noted in the patient’s file. 5. While it is recognized that job shadowing is a legitimate educational tool and that high school students will benefit greatly from such a programme,
   a.   The patient’s well-being takes precedence over the student’s educational needs.
   b.   Physicians will use their best judgment in an attempt to provide the student with a meaningful experience while ensuring no negative impact on the patient.
      i.   This will be done in such a way as to make the patient as comfortable with the situation as possible. 
Policy Adopted by Council, April, 1999 
Amended by Council,  January 2010
To be Reviewed  January 2017 - UNDER REVIEW