This week, we’re continuing our look at the 2026 AAMC Graduation Questionnaire (GQ) results with a focus on mistreatment and efforts to support a safe, respectful learning environment. Responses from our graduating students show encouraging progress in awareness of reporting procedures and a decrease in reported mistreatment, while highlighting the importance of continued improvement.
As a reminder, the AAMC Graduation Questionnaire (GQ) is administered annually to graduating medical students.
Awareness of Mistreatment Policies and Reporting Procedures
In 2026, 98% of the E22 cohort reported awareness of the school’s mistreatment policies, up from 95% in 2025 and matching the national average.
Knowledge of reporting procedures also improved: 93% of respondents indicated they knew how to report mistreatment, an increase of 10% from 2025 and approaching the national average of 94%.
What is the learning environment team doing to strengthen awareness and follow-up?
- Expanding student education: Enhanced MS1 and MS2 orientation, newsletter features, and emails reinforce mistreatment policies and reporting options.
- Partnering with clerkship leadership: The Learning Environment team meets twice a year with required clerkship directors and the Assistant Dean for Clinical Curriculum, who participates in his role as the Incident Response and Oversight Committee (IROC) Dean for Clinical Curriculum. Other IROC Deans attend as available. These meetings strengthen communication, encourage dialogue, promote awareness, and facilitate collaboration on initiatives to prevent, monitor, and respond to mistreatment incidents.
- Improving follow-up: Launched in May 2025, the Learning Environment Feedback Tracker provides students with updates on non-anonymous reports when: 1) they are received; 2) they are reviewed by the IROC and assigned for follow-up; 3) they are acted upon. Students can access the Tracker through the Student Portal.
- Making key information accessible: Badge-sized reference cards for students, faculty, and staff outline mistreatment policies, reporting procedures, and protections against retaliation, with quick access to reporting resources.
Mistreatment Experienced
The percentage of UWSOM respondents reporting mistreatment, excluding “publicly embarrassed,” decreased from 39% in both 2024 and 2025 to 34% in 2026. The gap between UWSOM and the national rate also narrowed, with the 2026 national rate at 33%. This decrease is encouraging, but every experience of mistreatment matters. Continued attention is essential to ensure all students feel respected and supported.
What is the learning environment team doing to prevent mistreatment and improve the learning environment?
- Strengthening teaching practices: Clinical deans and clerkship leaders use student feedback, site visits, and faculty and resident development to improve learning environments across WWAMI.
- Supporting respectful learning environments: Training addresses psychological safety, constructive feedback, and navigating conflict. New initiatives and practices across WWAMI have been implemented. For example, Restorative Practice training and student feedback panels.
- Providing targeted coaching: The Department of Surgery has added a professional development coach who provides coaching and targeted support in response to learning environment concerns.
- Taking action on student concerns: The IROC reviews reports and assigns responsibility for follow-up. Actions may include faculty development, monitoring for improvement, removal from teaching responsibilities, or site closure.
- Monitoring progress: Ongoing review of student experiences and feedback helps identify trends and guides continued improvement.
We will continue monitoring trends in student experiences and using feedback to guide improvement. Thank you for sharing your experiences and helping shape a safer, more supportive learning environment for everyone.
Have a question or idea? Share feedback on this update or suggestions for improving the student experience through the EQI Feedback Form.