Faculty Resource Manual

An OSU Faculty Handbook has been developed in Stillwater for the convenience and
general guidance for the faculty at all campus locations. This general handbook is
available digitally at: Reappointment, Promotion & Tenure. However, the Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa, Oklahoma is a unique campus in that it includes the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Accordingly, in order to be of greater use and convenience, and to provide policy information for the CHS faculty, which includes the COM faculty, a specific manual was developed. This local manual bears the title OSU-CHS Faculty Resource Manual and it can be accessed at the pages below.

Code of Ethics

Administration, faculty, and staff of the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine adhere to the American Osteopathic Association's Code of Ethics, adopted by the College in 2008. As student members of the osteopathic profession, OSU-COM students are expected to comply with the AOA Code of Ethics.

Code of Ethics of the American Osteopathic Association

Section 1. The physician shall keep in confidence whatever she/he may learn about a patient in the discharge of professional duties. Information shall be divulged by the physician when required by law or when authorized by the patient.

Section 2. The physician shall give a candid account of the patient's condition to the patient or to those responsible for the patient's care.

Section 3. A physician-patient relationship must be founded on mutual trust, cooperation, and respect. The patient, therefore, must have complete freedom to choose her/his physician. The physician must have complete freedom to choose patients whom she/he will serve. However, the physician should not refuse to accept patients for reasons of discrimination, including, but not limited to, the patient's race, creed, color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or handicap. In emergencies, a physician should make her/his services available.
Section 4. A physician is never justified in abandoning a patient. The physician shall give due notice to a patient or to those responsible for the patient's care when she/he withdraws from the case so that another physician may be engaged.

Section 5. A physician shall practice in accordance with the body of systematized and scientific knowledge related to the healing arts. A physician shall maintain competence in such systematized and scientific knowledge through study and clinical applications.
Section 6. The osteopathic medical profession has an obligation to society to maintain its high standards and, therefore, to continuously regulate itself. A substantial part of such regulation is due to the efforts and influence of the recognized local, state and national associations representing the osteopathic medical profession. A physician should maintain membership in and actively support such associations and abide by their rules and regulations.
Section 7. Under the law a physician may advertise, but no physician shall advertise or solicit patients directly or indirectly through the use of matters or activities which are false or misleading.
Section 8. A physician shall not hold forth or indicate possession of any degree recognized as the basis for licensure to practice the healing arts unless he is actually licensed on the basis of that degree in the state in which she/he practices. A physician shall designate her/his osteopathic school of practice in all professional uses of her/his name. Indications of specialty practice, membership in professional societies, and related matters shall be governed by rules promulgated by the American Osteopathic Association.
Section 9. A physician should not hesitate to seek consultation whenever she/he believes it advisable for the care of the patient.
Section 10. In any dispute between or among physicians involving ethical or organizational matters, the matter in controversy should first be referred to the appropriate arbitrating bodies of the profession.
Section 11. In any dispute between or among physicians regarding the diagnosis and treatment of a patient, the attending physician has the responsibility for final decisions, consistent with any applicable hospital rules or regulations.
Section 12. Any fee charged by a physician shall compensate the physician for services actually rendered. There shall be no division of professional fees for referrals of patients.

Section 13. A physician shall respect the law. When necessary a physician shall attempt to help to formulate the law by all proper means in order to improve patient care and public health.
Section 14. In addition to adhering to the foregoing ethical standards, a physician shall recognize a responsibility to participate in community activities and services.
Section 15. It is considered sexual misconduct for a physician to have sexual contact with any current patient whom the physician has interviewed and/or upon whom a medical or surgical procedure has been performed.
Section 16. Sexual harassment by a physician is considered unethical. Sexual harassment is defined as physical or verbal intimation of a sexual nature involving a colleague or subordinate in the workplace or academic setting, when such conduct creates an unreasonable, intimidating, hostile or offensive workplace or academic setting.
Section 17. From time to time, industry may provide some AOA members with gifts as an inducement to use their products or services. Members who use these products and services as a result of these gifts, rather than simply for the betterment of their patients and the improvement of the care rendered in their practices, shall be considered to have acted in an unethical manner.
Section 18. A physician shall not intentionally misrepresent himself/herself or his/her research work in any way.
Section 19. When participating in research, a physician shall follow the current laws, regulations and standards of the United States or, if the research is conducted outside the United States, the laws, regulations and standards applicable to research in the nation where the research is conducted. This standard shall apply for physician involvement in research at any level and degree of responsibility, including, but not limited to, research, design, funding, participation either as examining and/or treating provider, supervision of other staff in their research, analysis of data and publication of results in any form for any purpose.

Mission and Vision

Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine educates osteopathic primary care physicians with an emphasis on serving rural and underserved Oklahoma.

Vision

Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine will be recognized for:

Fulfilling the health care needs of rural and underserved Oklahoma
Producing graduates who are dedicated, effective, and compassionate community leaders
Providing excellent care and health-related community service
Being a leader and innovator in education
Being the medical school of choice

Goals of OSU-COM Curriculum

Professional, trustworthy osteopathic practitioners using patient centered approach to analyze clinical problems, informed by current literature and to consider issues across the biological–psychological–social continuum
Lifelong learners
Reflective practitioners with the habit of assessing the impact of the medical practice on the lives of patients and vitality of the community
Civic leaders
Compassionate, committed, and caring physicians who embrace the osteopathic philosophy

Objectives of OSU-COM Curriculum

Identify, critically analyze, and solve problems that consider issues across multiple contexts as osteopathic practitioners related to patient care
Demonstrate knowledge of evidence-based practice in the treatment of patients and the application of relevant research
Perform appropriate diagnostic and treatment skills that encompass the understanding and application of new scientific knowledge to patient care
Effectively lead and communicate with peers and healthcare team members
Demonstrate effective physician-patient interactions
Initiate and sustain life-long learning in order to remain well-informed of relevant scientific evidence related to patient care and medical research
Effectively provide premier quality of care driven by compassion, integrity, honesty, cultural awareness, and ethical principles
Demonstrate the osteopathic philosophy in medical practice while upholding the Osteopathic Oath in professional conduct
Apply medical knowledge and skills to provide exemplary patient care to underserved and rural Oklahoma communities
Incorporate osteopathic manual manipulation as a diagnostic and treatment modality in patient care

Review

Student Review: 8/13/19 (Student Council of Presidents Agenda and Vote)

Staff Review: 8/27/19 (SAC Minutes)
Faculty Review and Reaffirmation: 9/13/19 (Faculty Senate Memo)

OSU A&M Regents Review: 12/6/19 Approval (1/24/20 Regents Minutes)