Health and Wellness
Mental Health Services
KHSU-KansasCOM understands the intense environment and extra stress that medical students experience. Because it is important for students to be emotionally healthy, students are encouraged to utilize the counseling services that are available to them on-campus.
KHSU-KansasCOM has a multi-dimensional counseling support network for all students. First, KHSU-KansasCOM has a licensed mental health counselor on-campus. Students may make appointments in confidence by contacting the mental health counselor directly via phone 316-315-5639 or email KHSUcounseling@kansashsc.org.
Counseling Services provide immediate support for students on campus through psychotherapy in addition to proactive support programs to assist with the extra stresses associated with medical school and graduate study. Counseling Services can also assist students who are dealing with any kind of substance abuse or addiction. All conversations with KHSU-KansasCOM counseling services staff are completely confidential. No information is shared outside of counseling services unless the student provides written consent.
Second, KHSU-KansasCOM also provides students with 24/7 access to ComPsych, a free and confidential counseling service available to students and their families. ComPsych is a nation-wide network in all 50 states. For students wishing to be seen by a counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist off-campus, ComPsych is available at: www.compsych.com. To access ComPsych please use the following:
- Guidanceresources.com
- WebID: COM589
- 800-272-7255
ComPsych is also an excellent option for students who are on clinical rotations away from campus and in other states. In addition, it is also made available to direct family members of each KHSU-KansasCOM student, free of charge.
All counseling referrals and sessions are confidential and are not considered as part of the student’s educational records.
Physical Health Services
KHSU-KansasCOM does not provide on-site student health services. A wide range of health services are available to all students within the local community.
KHSU-KansasCOM students may seek health care through a group of off-campus clinical providers in the Wichita, Kansas, area. If one is looking for a provider, please see the Physical Health Services page on the website for recommended providers. All services are provided in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Affordability Act (HIPAA) and are strictly confidential. When students are rotating outside of Wichita, one of their first responsibilities is to find a local health care provider, within the community they are rotating, in case they need to be seen.
KHSU-KansasCOM encourages students to establish a health care home with a primary care provider. Becoming an established patient enhances how quickly you can be seen for a problem. If a student requires chronic care or needs to be seen during off-hours, they should contact their own provider. Clinic information is available to students in the Office of Student Affairs and Services. Students need to present their insurance card when seeing any health care provider. All expenses for health services are the responsibility of the student.
Impaired Medical Student
KHSU-KansasCOM’s fundamental responsibility is to ensure the health and well-being of its students. Physician burnout and impairment are realities within the medical education world. This impairment, due to use of alcohol, substance abuse, and/or emotional and mental illness, is often first manifested during medical school.
Medical students are entitled to a safe environment that supports wellness and professional and personal well-being. The educational environment at KHSU-KansasCOM is designed in such a way as to be protective, sensitive, and able to intervene in situations where a student physician needs help and support without jeopardizing the student’s right to confidentiality and the successful continuation of their training.
All KHSU-KansasCOM students are strongly encouraged to seek help and assistance for any problems they are experiencing with alcohol, drugs, and/or mental illness that impact their ability to function as a medical student. Students who proactively reach out for support and treatment are much more likely to successfully complete their medical training.
Definition: For the purposes of this policy, “impaired” shall mean under the adverse influence of alcohol or any narcotic or drug; or, mentally unable to reason, communicate or perform medical services in a safe, professionally acceptable manner or carry out any duties, assignments, or requirements of the medical education program and curriculum.
Resources: There are several resources that KHSU-KansasCOM endorses and refers students to in situations where impairment is an issue.
Kansas Medical Society- Professionals’ Health Program
623 SW 10th Avenue
Topeka, Kansas 66612
(800) 332-0156
www.fsphp.org/kansas
Carolyn Westgate, MS, LCPC, Program Director
Acumen Institute
4321 W. 6th Street
Lawrence, Kansas 66049
(785) 856-0473
www.acumeninstitute.org
Professional Renewal Center
1421 Research Park Dr., #3B
Lawrence, Kansas 66049
(877) 978-4772
www.prckansas.org
Impairment Process and Procedures: Impairment within a medical student is often subtle and difficult to detect. It is most often discovered as a significant and persistent change in behavior. Such changes in behavior may be manifested in any or all of the physical, emotional, family, social, educational, or clinical domains of functioning. In the event a faculty or staff member notices behavioral changes that are concerning, the resulting process will be followed:
- The Office of Student Affairs and Services will reach out to the students and request a meeting. The behavioral concerns will be shared with the student.
- When a student recognizes an issue with alcohol, substance abuse, and/or emotional difficulties, the student will receive information about the resources available for treatment and support. Additionally, the Office of Student Affairs will engage in a discussion with the student regarding how time away for treatment can be managed by KHSU-KansasCOM. Every effort will be made to facilitate the student’s return to their academic program once they have received clearance to resume their studies.
- Should the student deny a problem with alcohol, substance abuse, and/or emotional problems, KHSU-KansasCOM reserves the right to test all students for impairment. The cost of the testing, in this situation, is assigned to the student. Testing includes, but is not limited to, alcohol/narcotic testing, and/or psychological assessment. Students refusing to submit to an alcohol/narcotic test and/or psychological assessment may face disciplinary action. (See the Student Handbook and the Code of Professional Conduct for details.)
Should the student require an intervention including inpatient treatment, they will be placed on a medical leave of absence. The Office of Student Affairs and Services will communicate with the students about how the medical leave will be handled and what requirements will be a part of said leave. The expectation will be that the student adheres to all conditions of their treatment plan, medical leave of absence, and any follow-up conditions for return. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action and the student not being allowed to return from their leave.
Health Insurance Requirement
KHSU-KansasCOM requires its students to meet certain health-related requirements including a requirement to be fully insured with personal health insurance and to be fully vaccinated according to CDC guidelines. Please refer to the KHSU-KansasCOM Health Requirements section of the Admissions page for full requirements.
Exposure to Bodily Fluids
Students are expected to use universal precautions when exposed to blood or bodily fluids. Students exposed to blood and/or bodily fluids should follow the institution’s policy where the incident occurred. KHSU-KansasCOM and the institution where the incident occurred should be notified immediately, and students should follow all protocols required of them, including completing an incident report. A copy of the completed incident report must be sent to the Office of Clinical Education or to the Office of the Dean and Chief Academic Officer. For incidents occurring on the KHSU-KansasCOM campus, please refer to the Injuries Occurring on Campus policy. Students should follow that policy in its entirety.
Immunizations
All matriculating students at KHSU-KansasCOM are required to be vaccinated in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) immunization guidelines. These guidelines change and are updated periodically, and applicants and students are expected to be knowledgeable regarding the current CDC guidelines for health care workers found on: www.cdc.gov. See Immunization Requirements in the Immunizations section.
Students who fail to meet these guidelines may jeopardize their eligibility for continued enrollment.
Medical Treatment of Students by KHSU-KansasCOM and Affiliated Faculty
KHSU-KansasCOM wants to avoid all conflicts of interest related to the medical treatment of its students. KHSU-KansasCOM faculty, including clinical clerkship preceptors, will not provide medical treatment of or medical advice to KHSU-KansasCOM students. Students must seek healthcare advice and/or treatment off-campus from a non-KHSU-KansasCOM related source. See KHSU-KansasCOM’s website for a list of recommended healthcare providers in the Wichita area, who do not have a conflict of interest and are available to see and treat students.
Although not encouraged, in the event a KHSU-KansasCOM faculty member must provide medical treatment for a student, such as in an emergency medical situation, they are required per policy, to recuse themselves from all situations where they may have to assess, grade, and/or provide professional feedback for that particular student.
This includes clinical clerkship preceptors, who have a direct assessment and grading responsibility for assigned KHSU-KansasCOM students. Students who are on rotations should always avoid seeking medical treatment/advice from their clerkship preceptor.
Should a student have difficulty in finding medical treatment/advice, they can contact the staff in the Office of Student Affairs and Services for a referral to an appropriate local physician.
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