Trainee/learner mistreatment is disrespectful or unprofessional behaviour directed at a trainee/learner or a group of trainees/learners that negatively affects the learner or the learning environment.

Examples of mistreatment include, but are not limited to:

• discrimination or harassment based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, health, or disability status;
• bullying, humiliation, psychological or physical punishment;
• making demeaning, offensive, belittling, or disrespectful comments;
• the use of grading and other forms of assessment in a punitive manner
• retaliation or threats of retaliation against any trainee/learner who reports mistreatment in good faith.

As a trainee/learner in the DeGroote School of Medicine Postgraduate Medical Education Program (PGME) if you are subject to mistreatment or witness mistreatment in the learning environment:

1. Leave the situation if there are safety concerns. If necessary, call the hospital, clinic, or McMaster security or call 911.
2. If, due to what you have experienced, you are injured, become highly distressed, unwell, or are in crisis, please click here for Health and Mental Health Services
3. Take a deep breath and quickly assess the situation. If you feel able to do so, tell the mistreating person to stop the behaviour and remove yourself from the situation. If you are witnessing mistreatment toward a trainee/learner and feel able to do so, tell the mistreating person to stop the behaviour in a neutral tone, then support the trainee/learner.
4. Talk to someone you trust about what has happened immediately or at any time after. In the immediate context, if you feel you cannot remain in the learning or training environment, you will need to make arrangements with your supervisor, facilitator, or other leaders (e.g., senior trainee, chief resident) to leave. Talking to someone you trust about what has happened can help you to feel supported, organize your thoughts, and consider the next steps. Consider contacting a:
   • Trusted medical peer or colleague, including a chief resident, senior resident, or physician assistant
   • Faculty office or wellness designate including Student Affairs (UGME), Resident Affairs (PGME), or Student Advisor (PAEP)
   • Faculty members including your Program Director, Clerkship Director, Attending Physician/Supervisor/Preceptor, Tutorial Leader, Student Advisor, coach or mentor, Program Wellness Lead, or ombudsperson
   • Senior Leader: Assistant Dean (PAEP), Associate Dean (PGME and UGME), or Regional Assistant Dean (PGME and UGME)
5. Document what happened from your perspective, in as much detail as possible, as early as possible, to be kept in a secure location. Write down the names of others involved and/or who witnessed the encounter, dates, and times. This is helpful whether or not you plan to report the event at this time to any office.
6. Report your experience to the Office of Learning Environment and Mistreatment (OLEM) using the online reporting tool or by emailing the office to book an appointment. Faculty or others who have concerns about a trainee/learner being mistreated can also report using the online reporting tool or by emailing the office to book an appointment.
   • This office is responsible for mistreatment targeting or involving physician assistant students, medical students, residents, and fellows only
   • Resident Affairs and OLEM can help trainees/learners navigate to and through the most appropriate offices and processes in the university and clinical environments
   • Reporting to OLEM does not preclude making formal reports to other reporting offices

Much  more information about mistreatment and the reporting process is available on the Medportal Trainee Mistreatment page