ACOG Committee Opinion No. 358: Professional Responsibilities in Obstetric-Gynecologic Education

Physicians must learn new skills in a manner consistent with their ethical obligations to benefit the patient, to do no harm, and to respect a patient's right to make informed decisions. Patients should be given the opportunity to consent to or refuse treatment by students. Students must hold in confidence any information they learn about patients. The relationship between teacher and student involves an imbalance of power and the risk of exploitation of a student for the benefit of the teacher. Students should not be placed in situations where they must provide care or perform procedures for which they are not qualified and not adequately supervised. Students have the obligation to be honest, conscientious, and respectful in their relationships with their teachers. They should act in ways that preserve the dignity of patients and do not undermine relationships between patients and their physicians. If a student observes unethical behavior or incompetent conduct by a teacher, the appropriate institutional authority should be informed. Institutions have an obligation to provide a work environment that enhances professional competence by ensuring that students and residents work reasonable hours, helping them balance education and patient care responsibilities; providing adequate support services; and, in the case of residents, providing reasonable salaries and benefits. With increasing numbers of women in education programs, special attention must be given to the parallel demands of pregnancy and career goals.