Module 5
This is a really important part of your training.
Students often delay reporting concerns because they worry about:
evaluation consequences
retaliation
being perceived as “difficult”
Research shows that many trainees do not report mistreatment due to fear of reprisal or the belief that nothing will change (McClintock & Fainstad, 2022).
What Faculty Can Tell Students
Teach students the process for bringing up concerns. Your process for your program might look different than others, but there should be a process. It could be scheduling a zoom with you or sending a quick email requesting a touchpoint. Or it could be more formal with a submission online.
Faculty can normalize early communication by saying things like:
• “If something feels uncomfortable, I want to know early.”
• “Small concerns are easier to address before they grow.”
• “Reaching out does not mean you failed the placement.”
• “My role is to support your learning and your safety.”
Feel free to use this training to help educate your students about bullying. Explaining that patterns are important and you want to know about them!
