Students Needing Access to Healthcare

Professionalism Reporting

Policy Statement:

The Keck School of Medicine (KSOM) permits students to be excused from educational experiences to seek needed healthcare. This includes timely access to needed diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic health services at sites in reasonable proximity to the locations of their required educational experiences.

 Procedure:

  1. Students must follow the Attendance and Absence Request Policy in order to be excused from required activities.
  2. In the case of an absence due to an acute health issue, students must inform the course or clerkship office and their supervising faculty member and/or resident as soon as possible, per the Attendance and Absence Request Policy.
  3. Missing an examination to access healthcare must be approved in advance by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs or their designee (unless an acute health issue) per KSOM examination policies.
  4. For students who have ongoing and recurrent healthcare needs during required clerkships, please review the process for requesting recurring time off.
  5. Required sessions or clinical activities missed to access healthcare must be made up at a later date as determined by the curriculum office and course or clerkship Students should avoid scheduling routine appointments during required sessions or clinical activities.
  6. Students with confidential requests can discuss their concerns with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs or their designee who can facilitate absences as appropriate.

Reviewed and Approved: May 22, 2024

Medical Education Curriculum Committee (MECC)