Addressing unprofessional behaviors in the clinical learning environment: lessons from a multi-year virtual, intergenerational, interdisciplinary workshop

Abstract

Introduction Optimizing the clinical learning environment (CLE) is a medical education priority nationwide.Materials and Methods We developed a virtual, one-hour workshop engaging students, housestaff and faculty in small-group discussions of five case scenarios adapted from reported unprofessional behaviors in the CLE, plus didactics regarding mistreatment, microaggressions and bystander interventions.Results Over two sessions (2021–2022), we engaged 340 students and 73 faculty/housestaff facilitators. Post-session surveys showed significant improvement in participants’ ability to recognize and respond to challenges in the CLE.Discussion Our innovative workshop, including scenarios derived from institutional reports of unprofessional behaviors, advanced participants’ knowledge and commitment to improve the CLE.

Keywords

• Clinical learning environment
• mistreatment
• professionalism
• microaggressions
• interdisciplinary