Probation

A resident may be placed on probation within a training year by a program director because of inadequate or unsatisfactory performance. Normally, a resident would have had prior notification (see Records above) before taking this action. Any action placing a resident on probation shall be reported immediately to the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education.

Specific deficiencies must be pointed out in writing to the resident who should be asked to sign the letter of probation and concur with the remediation plan, which must include assistance by the GME Ombudsman and the appointment of a mutually agreeable faculty advisor.  Other remedial help as appropriate must be provided and a probationary period (typically three (3) months) specified.  Monthly evaluations of performance should be kept by all supervisors and must be reviewed by the program training committee and/or the program director on completion of the probationary period.

A decision of reinstatement/advancement, or extension of the probationary period, retention at the same level, or of dismissal must be made on the basis of the resident’s performance with adequate documentation of the basis for the decision. Such documentation must be reviewed and acknowledged by the resident. Residents retained at the same level of training do not advance in stipend level.