APPIC has established both an Informal Problem Consultation process and a Formal Complaint process in order to address issues and concerns that may arise during the internship or postdoctoral selection process or during the internship or postdoctoral training year. Applicants, current and recently-graduated interns and postdoctoral residents, Directors of Clinical Training (DCTs), internship and postdoctoral Training Directors, and training program faculty/staff are welcome to utilize these services.
APPIC policies state that concerns must first be brought to the informal problem consultation process before a formal complaint is filed.
INFORMAL PROBLEM CONSULTATION
The goals of the Informal Problem Consultation (IPC) process are to provide guidance, consultation, and assistance in resolving the broad array of problems and challenges that may be encountered by concerned parties in the internship or postdoctoral context. The IPC process is confidential. In some instances, the IPC representative from APPIC interacts only with the individual seeking assistance; in other cases, when the individual grants permission, the IPC representative may talk with multiple parties in order to seek information or negotiate a resolution. Students and trainers have found this process to be an effective and efficient mechanism for handling the majority of problems and conflicts that arise regarding various aspects of internship and postdoctoral training.
Access IPC Form (Google Document) - Complete the IPC Form, Click on Submit and it will be emailed to jeffbaker@appic.org at the APPIC Central Office and it is expected you will receive a response within 48 hours.
Here are some examples of situations in which an individual (or group of individuals) may make use of the IPC process:
- An internship applicant or internship training director experiences what he/she perceives to be a violation of APPIC Match Policies.
- An internship or postdoctoral training director has concerns about a student's competence or unethical/unprofessional behavior and wants to consult about possible options or solutions.
- A current intern or postdoctoral resident believes that his/her internship or postdoctoral program is not in compliance with APPIC membership policies.
- A current intern or postdoctoral resident is concerned about his/her training experience and wants to consult about options or solutions.
- A Director of Clinical Training is concerned about a student's internship experience and wants to consult about options or solutions.
- An applicant or trainee feels that he/she has been treated in an inappropriate, disrespectful, or discriminatory manner.
- An intern or postdoctoral resident and/or an internship or postdoctoral Training Director would like guidance in handling issues related to medical concerns, pregnancy, child/elder care, family hardships, disability, etc.
- An individual is unsure if a policy violation has occurred, or is unsure if his/her situation warrants a formal complaint or is best addressed by the Informal Problem Consultation process.
In cases in which an intern applicant or current intern has concerns about his/her ability or willingness to attend or complete an internship, and is considering withdrawing from his/her Match, Phase II, or PMVS commitment, the individual MUST contact the IPC representative before taking any action to withdraw.
If you would like to seek confidential consultation or assistance with problem resolution, contact Dr. Eugene D'Angelo, Chair, APPIC Board of Directors at Eugene.DAngelo@childrens.harvard.edu. The Chair will forward inquiries and concerns to a consultant.
FORMAL COMPLAINT PROCESS
Sometimes, serious problems cannot be adequately handled through the APPIC Informal Problem Consultation process. For these situations, a formal complaint may be filed with the APPIC Standards and Review Committee (ASARC).
The purpose of ASARC is: (a) to investigate alleged violations of APPIC policies and procedures, (b) to recommend an appropriate response to the APPIC Board of Directors upon determining that a policy violation has occurred, and (c) to serve in a consultative or educative role when queries are made regarding APPIC policies and procedures. In response to a complaint filed with ASARC, the APPIC Board may decide to impose sanctions on individuals or training programs that violate APPIC policies.
For more information on the formal complaint procedures, please see the ASARC Procedures for Handling Grievances and Violations of APPIC Policies. Please note that there are time limitations on the filing of formal complaints; see the full ASARC Policy for specifics. In addition, APPIC policies state that concerns must first be brought to the Informal Problem Consultation process before a formal complaint is filed.
Questions about the formal complaint process may be directed to Dr. Mark Vogel, Chair of APPIC's Standards and Review Committee, at vogel1@msu.edu.
Complaints should be filed using the ASARC Complaint Form:
And submitted to:
Chair, APPIC Standards and Review Committee
APPIC
17225 El Camino Real, Suite #170
Houston TX 77058