Center for Professionalism FAQs

Why was the center formed?
President Dr. Paul Klotman has placed professionalism as one of his highest priorities at the College. The center will work to enhance the culture at Baylor by creating a more professional teaching, clinical and research environment. The goals of the center include improving employee morale, patient satisfaction, care and safety, attracting the brightest medical students and trainees and helping to recruit and retain the most gifted scientists.

What is professionalism?
Professionalism is the set of attitudes and behaviors that cultivate competence and connection through positive, respectful and trustworthy relationships.

In medicine, medical education and training, professionalism includes absolute integrity, awareness of the impact of one's behavior on patients, colleagues and coworkers. It includes clear, honest and timely communication, meticulous, compassionate and up-to-date care, with the highest priority given to the needs and interests of our patients.

In research, it includes absolute integrity and collegial and respectful relationships with colleagues and coworkers. It is respect and concern for the welfare of research subjects, both human and nonhuman, and manage any potential conflict or appearance of conflict of interest.

How Does the Center Promote Positive Professionalism?
Some organizations focus all of their professionalism attention on lapses in professionalism.  The Center believes that support and education in positive professionalism is critical to encourage and create an inclusive culture of civility, compassion, and connection.  We highlight positive professionalism through the majority of our programming. (see Education/training). It is through positive professionalism that we can build trust and respect for our teammates, our learners, our patients and ourselves.

What is considered unprofessional behavior?
Unacceptable or unprofessional behavior is a broad group of behaviors, which create an unpleasant, and unsafe work environment. Multiple studies have documented that the lack of professionalism results in poorer patient outcomes, difficulty recruiting and retaining faculty and decreased productivity. Unprofessional behavior includes actions like yelling, being rude, threatening or intimidating others or demonstrating bias of any kind.

Do I have to identify myself if I want to report unprofessional behaviors?
No, there are several ways to make a report of unprofessional behavior. Members of the Baylor community can read more about how to report a concern (Baylor login required).

How can I report inappropriate behavior?
Members of the Baylor community can either contact the center or use the Integrity Hotline at (855) 764-7292.