2.1.2 Professional judgement

Question 1

What can pj be described as?

Answer 1

Professional judgement can be described as the use of accumulated knowledge and experience, as well as critical reasoning, to make an informed professional decision – often to help solve a problem, or in relation to a patient or policies and procedures affecting patients.

Question 2

What does pj take into account?

Answer 2

It takes into account the law, ethical considerations, relevant standards and all other relevant factors related to the surrounding circumstances. Furthermore, it will resonate with the core values, attitudes and behavioural indicators of professionalism.

Question 3

Example of breaking the process down?

Answer 3

Check page 14 of MEP (diagram 1)

Question 4

What is the process of making a professional judgement is underpinned by?

Answer 4

Knowledge. Chapter 3 provides information on the core knowledge required by pharmacists in their day-to-day practice.

Question 5

When do ethical dilemmas often arise?

Answer 5

In situations where acting in the patient’s best interests may be outside the legal constraints of normal practice.

Question 6

Is pj a blanket defence?

Answer 6

It is important to point out that professional judgement is not a blanket defence or a blanket reason to take the most convenient choice.

It is entirely possible for two different pharmacists, faced with the same facts and circumstances, to choose two different courses of action. Both options could be justifiable and legitimate choices for a significant proportion of pharmacists if faced with the same dilemma.

It must be exercised properly, logically and for valid reasons. If there are mechanisms to achieve the required goal it would be risky to choose an illegal alternative. For example, lending medication would be very difficult to justify if an emergency supply could have been used.

FURTHER READING
Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Professional judgement

www.rpharms.com
Royal Pharmaceutical Society
RPS guidance on ethical, professional decision making in the COVID-19 Pandemic. 2020

www.rpharms.com
General Pharmaceutical Council
Standards for pharmacy professionals. 2017.

www.pharmacyregulation.org
(see MEP Appendix 4)
Wingfield J, Pitchford K, editors
Dale and Appelbe’s Pharmacy and Medicines Law. 12th edition. 2021. London; Pharmaceutical Press.

www.pharmpress.com