Applies to: Residents in the WSU Family Medicine Residency Program–Pullman
Date: November 17, 2025
1.0 Policy Statement
The purpose of this Attendance Policy is to outline the expectations and requirements for family medicine residents’ attendance during their residency program. The program places a high value on attendance to ensure that residents receive comprehensive and uninterrupted training, contributing to their professional development and patient care skills.
2.0 Definitions
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
Accredits Sponsoring Institutions and residency and fellowship programs, confers recognition on additional program formats or components, and dedicates resources to initiatives addressing areas of importance in graduate medical education.
3.0 Responsibilities
Attendance Expectation: Attendance is a critical component of the family medicine residency program, and residents are expected to attend all scheduled activities, including but not limited to:
- Family Medicine Clinic: Residents must be present for all scheduled clinic days.
- Clinical Rotations: Residents must be present for all assigned clinical rotations, including inpatient, outpatient, and specialty rotations, as per the program schedule.
- Didactic Sessions: Residents must attend all mandatory didactic sessions, which may include workshops, grand rounds, conferences, and lectures.
- Morning Reports and Case Presentations: Residents are required to participate in morning reports and present cases when assigned.
- Mandatory Training: Residents are required to attend all mandatory training sessions, such as Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) and Advance Life Support in Obstetrics certifications.
- Clinic, Hospital and Institutional Meetings: Residents are required to attend clinic, hospital or institutional meetings as assigned.
Attendance Requirements
To successfully complete the family medicine residency program, residents must maintain a minimum attendance rate of 80% for all scheduled activities. The 20% is to allow for unplanned choices such as remaining for a delivery during didactics. It is not intended to be a “free pass”. Any absence, regardless of the reason, may impact the resident’s progress and completion of the program.
4.0 Procedures
Reporting Absences: Residents are responsible for reporting any anticipated or unforeseen absences to their Program Director or Program Administrator as soon as possible. The preferred method of reporting absences is by Email to PD and Program Administrator as well as completing a Request via Asana Form.
Absence Approval and Documentation
- Planned Absences: Residents may request approval for planned absences (e.g., vacations, conferences) in advance. The resident must submit the request to the Program Director or designated supervisor at least 3 mo before the planned absence. Approval for planned absences is at the discretion of the Program Director, considering the impact on the resident’s educational progress and patient care responsibilities. Residents must ensure adequate coverage and completion of any missed work or assignments during planned absences.
- Unforeseen Absences: In the case of unforeseen absences due to illness or emergencies, residents must inform the Program Director or designated supervisor as soon as possible and provide appropriate documentation, such as a medical certificate or relevant evidence, as required by the institution.
Consequences of Excessive Absences
Excessive or unexcused absences or tardiness may result in consequences, including but not limited to:
- Delayed graduation from the residency program
- More than 5 hrs. Of tardiness will result in an ILP regarding professionalism.
- PTO will be used for unexcused absences.
- Excessive tardiness will result in ½ day of PTO.
- Continued loss of CME money.
- Requirement to complete additional make-up work or rotations.
- Performance evaluation and remediation plans.
- Possible dismissal from the residency program, following due process and institutional policies.
Appeal Process
Residents have the right to appeal any decisions related to their attendance and its consequences. The appeal process will be conducted in accordance with the institutional grievance policy.
5.0 Revision History
GMEC Approval: November 18, 2025
Revision/Review Date(s):
Responsible Office: Family Medicine Residency Program – Pullman
Policy Contact: Program Director, Program Administrator, GME Office
Supersedes: N/A