Development of a code of conduct for the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of British Columbia

Much has been written in the literature about the process of inculcating professional values and behaviours in pharmacy students. Before exploring how to develop student professionalism, the attributes and behaviours that constitute professionalism must be defined. The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of British Columbia (UBC) began by establishing a Professionalism Committee that undertook a rigorous process to develop an operational definition of professional conduct. With broad based input, a comprehensive Code of Conduct for members of the Faculty community, namely faculty, staff and students, was developed. The process to develop and adopt the Code, the challenges encountered along the way, and proposed next steps are discussed.