Mental Health Services
Our Approach to Wellness
To ensure optimal support for the wellness of our students, KHSU has adopted a Social-Ecological, Population-Health oriented wellness model that is grounded in whole-person care, regular assessment, and multi-level intervention. Our faculty and staff speak frequently to students about personal wellness and a commitment to staying healthy. Students will engage in regular conversations about general wellness, how to assess your own personal wellness, and what concrete steps you can take to maintain personal and professional wellness to perform your best and stay healthy in a high-stress field.
We understand 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 and in the community.
On-Campus Counseling
KHSU-KansasCOM has a multi-dimensional counseling support network for all our students. We have a licensed counselor on-campus. Students may make appointments in confidence by contacting the counselor directly via email or scheduling through Calendly. The counselor is the only individual with access to these accounts. Students can reach our Counseling Services in room 430 or book an appointment with Andy Bogner
Counseling Services provides immediate support for students on campus through psychotherapy, proactive support programs to assist with the extra stresses associated with medical school and graduate study. We provide additional information and support through the our orientation process. Counseling Services can also assist students who are dealing with any kind of substance abuse or addiction issue.
All counseling referrals and sessions are confidential and are not recorded in the student's educational records.
Off-Campus Counseling
ComPsych is a free and confidential counseling service available to students and their families 24/7 at no cost. ComPsych provides immediate mental health chat options, telehealth counseling, and connection to local therapists. 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 https://www.guidanceresources.com. ComPsych is also an excellent option for students who are on clinical rotations away from campus and in other states. NOTE: The code for students to get set up is TCSPP.
Mental Health America of South Central Kansas is on retainer with KHSU to provide services to students, faculty, and staff. Services are charged to insurance. To schedule services, call (316) 260-2340 or visit their website: https://mhasck.org/. MHA is located at 555 N Woodlawn Blvd #3105, Wichita, KS 67208
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. 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 the 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 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 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 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. KHSU-Kansas COM reserves the right to require any student who is impaired to work directly with the Kansas Medical Society and follow all required conditions of that relationship.
Random and Reasonable Suspicion Drug Screening
As mentioned in the section on Drug Screening. KHSU-KansasCOM reserves the right to require additional drug screening either randomly or for reasonable suspicion. For random drug screening of the student body, the Dean or their designee will determine the dates and number of students to participate in random drug screening and will be randomly selected from the student body by the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs. Students may also be individually screened based upon reasonable suspicion. Causes for reasonable suspicion may include but are not limited to the following:
- A positive drug screen without supporting documentation (i.e. a prescription)
- Observable physical signs such as:
- Slurred/incoherent speech
- Unsteady gait or impaired coordination
- Odor of alcohol or drugs
- Excessive drowsiness or sudden unexplained changes in alertness
- Behavioral or professionalism concerns such as:
- Significant decline in academic or clinical performance
- Frequent absenteeism, tardiness, or unexplained time away from academic or clinical responsibilities
- Uncharacteristic irritability, agitation or erratic behavior
- Difficulty following instructions or maintaining patient safety
- Environmental or circumstantial concerns such as:
- Discovery or possession of drug paraphernalia in a school or clinical environment
- Credible reports from faculty, students, or clinical personnel supported by observable facts
- Evidence suggesting diversion or misuse of controlled substance
- Excessively diluted urine reported on any prior drug screening
- Engagement or enrollment in a drug monitoring program
A positive test without supporting documentation or therapeutic reason may result in one or more of the following:
- Referral for professional evaluation or treatment
- Required participation in a monitoring or recovery program
- Action ranging from temporary suspension to dismissal from academic or clinical studies
- Remediation, disciplinary action, or other requirements set forth by the SPC
- Dismissal in cases involving safety risks, repeated violations, or refusal to comply with policy or procedures.
Substance Abuse
Students who present with high degree of signs or symptoms consistent with impairment or substance abuse may be required to submit a drug or alcohol specimen. Students with a positive drug screen and no valid medical prescription will be referred to SPC for professionalism concerns. If not dismissed from the program SPC may require the student to become enrolled in an impaired physician program, including counselling, monitoring including random drug screens to be performed consistent with the impaired physicians’ requirements of the Kansas Medical Licensing board. Repeated positive screenings will be grounds for dismissal from the COM without opportunity for appeal considering potential danger to the public or patients that might be encountered.
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 for full requirements.
Exposure to Bodily Fluids
Students are expected to use universal precautions whenever they may be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials. Occupational exposures include, but are not limited to, needle sticks, cuts from contaminated sharps, and splashes of blood of other potentially infectious materials to the eyes, nose, mouth, or non-intact skin.
Students who experience an occupational exposure must immediately perform appropriate first aid (e.g., wash affected skin with soap and water or flush exposed mucous membranes with water), report the incident to their supervising faculty member or clinical preceptor, follow the exposure control policy and procedures of the clinical site where the incident occurred, and complete an incident report within Guardian. Timely reporting is essential, as delays in evaluation and initiation of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may reduce its effectiveness.
The student should report to the clinical site’s Occupational Health department or Emergency Department, as appropriate, for evaluation and management. Baseline laboratory testing should be performed in accordance with the clinical site’s protocols and current CDC institution’s recommendations. When appropriate and legally permissible, the clinical site should evaluate the source patient in accordance with its policies, applicable law, and current CDC recommendations to guide post-exposure management.
When clinically indicated, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should be initiated as soon as possible in accordance with current treatment recommendations. Students are expected to complete all recommended follow-up medical evaluations, laboratory testing, counseling, and treatment as directed by the treating healthcare provider.
Responsibility for costs associated with post-exposure evaluation and treatment will be determined in accordance with the policies of the clinical site, applicable law, and the student’s health insurance coverage.
Students are required to and must comply with all reporting, documentation, and -follow-up requirements of the clinical site in addition to KHSU-KansasCOM requirements. The student must complete an incident report in Guardian within 24 hours of the incident, or as soon as they are physically able to do so. For incidents occurring on the KHSU-KansasCOM campus, students must also comply with the Injuries Occurring on Campus Policy.
Information related an occupational exposure will be maintained in accordance with applicable privacy laws and institutional policies.
Training on universal precautions, prevention of occupational exposures, needle stick protocol, and exposure response protocols is provided by KHSU-KansasCOM during orientation and as part of the Physicianship curriculum. Completion of this training is required. Questions regarding exposure prevention or post-exposure management should be directed to the supervising faculty member, clinical preceptor, Office of Clinical Education, or the student’s treating healthcare provider as soon as possible.
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 health care 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 for a referral to an appropriate local physician.
|
