Learner mistreatment refers to intentional or unintentional behaviours that show disrespect for the dignity of others. This can be further categorized as:

• Unprofessional Behaviour
• Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment
• Sexual Harassment or Violence

If you experience a concern during your placement, we encourage you to consider one of the actions in the Learner Support Pathway to decide the option best for your situation, in addition to referring to the different contacts at WCH. You may also choose to disclose or report mistreatment through the Learner Incident Reporting Form, where you can anonymously disclose or report an incident. Our goal in providing this information is to ensure you have the knowledge and tools to choose the pathway that is most applicable to you and your situation.

Learners may also choose to contact their educational institution’s dedicated pathway:

• For University of Toronto undergraduate and postgraduate medical learners: Please refer to the Temerty Faculty of Medicine “Learner Mistreatment” guidelines for disclosing/reporting mistreatment, which also include options for anonymous reporting through the Learner Experience Office in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine
• For University of Toronto pharmacy students: Please contact the Office of Experiential Education (OEE).

Unprofessional behaviour (selected examples):

• Public humiliation
• Being subjected to outbursts of anger (e.g. shouting, throwing objects)
• Being subjected to unhelpful, negative comments about the character of another physician / health professional / learner
• Being subjected to reprisal or a threat of reprisal (punishment) for bringing a concern forward, where the reprisal is made or threatened by a person who has the power to impact the opportunities you have in your placement.

Discrimination and discriminatory harassment (selected examples):

• Being subjected to offensive remarks/being called names related to or based on any of the protected grounds identified in the Ontario Human Rights Code (for example, gender, race/ethnicity, etc.)
• Being denied opportunities for training or rewards based on any of the protected grounds identified in the Ontario Human Rights Code
• Receiving lower evaluations/grades based on any of the protected grounds identified in the Ontario Human Rights Code
• Being subjected to reprisal or threat of reprisal (punishment) for bringing a Human Rights concern forward, where the reprisal is made or threatened by a person who has the power to impact the opportunities you have in your placement.

Sexual violence and sexual harassment (selected examples):

• Being sexually solicited or subjected to an advance by a person who has the power to impact the opportunities you have in your placement, where the person making the solicitation or advance knows or should know that it is unwelcome.
• Being subjected to reprisal or a threat of reprisal (punishment) for the rejection of a sexual solicitation or advance, where the reprisal is made or threatened by a person in a position to give or deny a benefit or advancement.
• Being subjected to sexist remarks/names.
• Being subjected to sex-related comments about physical appearance or actions.

Discussing

Discussing is when you meet with a designated program leader to talk about, debrief or unpack an incident or experience. If you are comfortable, this could include your preceptor or supervisor; your area or professional lead (such as education lead, manager, practice leader or clinical coordinator); or a designated hospital leader.

Disclosing

Disclosing is when you give information about the behaviour of an individual to the hospital (a designated hospital leader) to seek information about your options, including for safety, support or accommodations.
Anonymous disclosures: If the decision is to proceed with an anonymous disclosure or report, you will not be able to participate in the review process or receive information about its outcome.

Reporting

Reporting is when information about an individual’s conduct is given with the intent that the hospital formally reviews and potentially acts upon the information.

Learner Support Pathway

Learner Incident Disclosure Form

If there is an outbreak declared in the area where you have your placement/rotation area and you develop an infectious illness, you must follow up with Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness (OHSW) ohs@wchospital.ca or call (416) 323-6400 x 6023.

The WCH education team is available to help you arrange to make up lost placement/rotation hours if needed. Talk to your preceptor/supervisor or clinical instructor via email for Nursing, Health Disciplines and Other (wchlearner@wchospital.ca).

Contact OHSW at ohs@wchospital.ca or call (416) 323-6400 x 6023 for illness surveillance-related issues. Appropriate medical care may include contacting your family physician, your University/College student health facilities, contacting Telehealth Ontario or your local public health agency, or visiting an Urgent Care Centre or Emergency Department.

Women’s College Hospital (WCH) is committed to workplace and patient safety and supports the prevention and control of communicable diseases. WCH will make every reasonable effort to identify potential risks and minimize them through our Occupational Health, Safety, Wellness (OHSW) and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) programs.

The hospital recognizes that influenza is a serious communicable disease and strongly recommends that all persons carrying out activities within the hospital be vaccinated annually with influenza vaccine. Those vaccinated against influenza should have a current sticker from WCH or from another hospital within the TAHSN affixed to their photo ID badge that indicates their influenza immunization status for the duration of the current flu season.

If you have any further inquiries, please contact the OHSW department at ohs@wchospital.ca or call (416) 323-6400 x 6023

Illnesses or Sickness

If you become sick while you are on-site at Women’s College Hospital, you need to inform your Preceptor/Supervisor wchlearner@wchospital.ca or Clinical Instructor as well as the manager on the unit before leaving to seek appropriate medical care. Please also ensure that you alert your placement contact at your school.

As well as following the hospital protocol below.

For infectious illnesses, and/or for times where you develop gastrointestinal or flu/flu-like symptoms, you must ensure you comply with the WCH requirements of an infectious illness.

Accidents or Injuries

If you experience an injury while on placement, please follow the steps outlined below:

1. Alert your supervisor/preceptor and seek medical assistance as required.
2. Complete an OHSW incident report in the Incident reporting system (IRIS) through your preceptor/supervisor.
3. Provide a copy of your incident report to your school/faculty and ensure that they are aware of your injury and any anticipated time off as a result of the injury.
4. Collaborate with your preceptor/supervisor to negotiate your return to placement as required.

Note: For any safety-related issues (small chemical or chemotherapy spills, issues of concern over environmental factors that could cause illness or injury), call OHSW at ohs@wchospital.ca or call (416) 323-6400 x 6023. Critical Incidents are reportable to the Ministry of Labour. They consist of a life-threatening injury, loss of consciousness, substantial loss of blood, fractured arm/leg (not a finger or toe), burn to a major portion of the body or loss of sight in an eye involving staff (including residents). OHSW will provide assistance and obtain incident details to complete any required reporting.

1. Get immediate medical assistance by calling a code blue and 911
2. Do not disturb the area unless necessary to prevent further injury or equipment damage

Sharps and Needlestick Injuries

Addressing sharps and needlestick injuries helps identify patterns and causes of injuries, leading to improved safety protocols and training programs. By reporting incidents, you contribute to a safer healthcare environment, protecting yourself and your colleagues while enhancing overall patient care quality. When a sharps or needlestick injury occurs, please follow the steps outlined below:

The main hospital entrance and the main entrance to the Family Practice Health Centre are both wheelchair accessible.

Underground parking is available. Each level of the parking garage has accessible parking options.

76 Grenville Street

Main Floor:

• Universal washroom with an adult changing table labelled 1439
• Breastfeeding room with washroom labelled 1420

All Floors:

• Each floor has single washrooms that can accommodate individuials using mobility scooters
• Each floor has all gender communal washrooms that have wheelchair accessible stalls
• On each floor communal or group washrooms can be found near the glass staircase except Levels 5 and 8
• On level 5 the accessible all gender communal washroom is located down thw est corridor of the patient waiting area for the clinic
• On level 8 the accessible all gender communal washroom is located west of the patient waiting area for the operating rooms

77 Grenville Street

• Levels 1 to 4 have barrier-free communal washrooms
• Levels 3 and 4 have additional barrier-free single washrooms

Learners requiring accommodations due to disabilities or special needs are encouraged to disclose their requirements in advance of their start date. The Learning Institute will work collaboratively with learners, preceptors, and educational institutions to implement reasonable, individualized accommodations, fostering an inclusive learning environment. If accommodations are required while with WCH, please ensure to notify your preceptor and do not hesitate to contact Sharon.Tan@wchospital.ca.

We are committed to creating the conditions for a healthy, respectful and positive patient-care and work environment.

To ensure that our services are accessible to everyone, we will enable access to assistive devices, use of service animals and support persons.

Devices used to assist persons with disabilities in carrying out activities or in accessing the services of persons or organizations covered by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Assistive devices include, but are not limited to, wheelchairs, hearing devices and devices for grasping.