Code of Conduct
Last updated at: 7/4/2025
Clinical Appointments
No student shall make changes to the clinical appointment schedule allocated without the prior permission of the Heads of the relevant subjects.
Attendance and punctuality
Attendance at clinical work should be regular to ensure satisfactory completion of the elective period. Students should obtain prior permission from the clinical teacher concerned before being absent from clinical work. In case prior permission is not obtained, we will not be responsible for any problems which might arise beyond academic related matters.
Dress Code
Students should wear scrub while attending clinical work or visiting the Faculty. Make sure to wear neat and modestly considering that you work in a hospital and university environment. Indecent exposure is not acceptable. No bathroom or rubber slippers will be allowed in the hospital or Faculty. Wearing overcoat while in the hospital is mandatory for students.
Identity
Student should collect identity card on the first day and wear it all the time. On entering wards, meet the ward staff and introduce yourself. Do not interfere with the routine work in the ward or staff.
Tobacco and alcohol
Hospitals and the Faculty have a strict non-smoking and non-alcohol policy and students should adhere to that. Students should not be under the influence of liquor or have a breath suggestive of recent consumption of alcohol.
Consent for physical examination
It is required to get the consent of either the patient or bystander before physical examination. Do not disturb patient while a sleep, having a meal, in pain or in discomfort. While examining a patient of opposite gender, have a person of the same sex to accompany you and this is especially relevant for female patients. Also use screens to protect the privacy of the patient. Respect the cultural norms when exposing patients for physical examination and do not examine patients during the designated visiting hours.
Conduct with the patient
Student should, first, introduce him/herself to the patient. Be courteous, polite and considerate while dealing with patients. Students should not prescribe any treatment or offer any money, tobacco, liquor, drugs or food to patients. Further, students are expected to maintain strict confidentiality with regards to the information gathered from patients.
Hospital records
No clinical records or results of investigations such as ECG's, radiographs or lab reports should be removed or copied by students. Do not take photographs of patients without permission of patient and clinical teacher.
Hospital equipment
Students should use hospital equipment such as thermometers, BP apparatus
and glassware with extreme care. Accidental breakages should be reported to the ward staff, immediately.
“Out of bounds” periods
At times hospitals are made “out of bounds” for clinical students for examination purposes. Elective students need to discuss with clinical teachers about the possibility of continuing clinical work during this period.
Communicable diseases
Students while suffering from communicable diseases should not engage in any clinical work. Consult the Medical officer; designate, if in doubt.
Needle prick Injury / Vaccinations
We advise you to get Hep B vaccination in advance and make sure that protective level of Hep B antibodies has been achieved. We advise you to complete the entire course of active immunization before arriving in Sri Lanka. Further, we have an accepted protocol to manage accidental needle prick injuries. This includes investigations and prophylactic vaccinations based on the situation. Elective students, however, will have to bear the cost of investigations and vaccines.
Meeting hours
Please contact the Elective student program handling staff during the given working hours. They will be happy to help you’ll during the office hours (8.30am to 12.30pm on weekdays, excluding public holidays )