4. Communication, Partnership, and Teamwork

Question 1

What are the overriding themes of “Communication, Partnership, and Teamwork”?

Answer 1

1. Communicate effectively
2. Working collaboratively with colleagues
3. Teaching, training, supporting and assessing
4. Continuity and coordination of care
5. Establish and maintain partnerships with patients

Question 2

How must you communicate effectively with patients?

Answer 2

1. You must listen to patients, take account of their views, and respond honestly to their questions
2. You must give patients the information they want or need to know in a way they can understand
3. You should make sure that arrangements are made wherever possible to meet patients’ language and communication needs
4. You must be considerate to those close to the patient and be sensitive and responsive in giving them information and support
5. When on duty you must be readily accessible to patients and colleagues seeking information, advice or support

Question 3

How must you work collaboratively with colleagues?

Answer 3

1. You must respect colleagues skills and contributions
2. You must treat colleagues fairly and with respect
3. You must be aware of how your behavior may influence others within and outside of the team
4. Patient safety may be affected if there is not enough medical cover. So you must take up any post you have formally accepted, and work your contractual notice period before leaving a job, unless the employer has reasonable time to make other arrangements

Question 4

How must you be involved in teaching, training, supporting, and assessing?

Answer 4

1. You should be prepared to contribute to teaching and training doctors and students
2. You must make sure that all staff you manage have appropriate supervision
3. You must be honest and objective when writing references, and when appraising or assessing the performance of colleagues including locums and students. References must include all information relevant to your colleagues’ competence, performance, and conduct
4. You should be willing to take on a mentoring role for more junior doctors and other healthcare professionals
5. You must support colleagues who have problems with their performance or health. But you must put patient safety first at all times

Question 5

How must you be involved in continuity and coordination of care?

Answer 5

1. You must contribute to the safe transfer of patients between healthcare providers and between health and social care providers
2. When you do not provide your patients’ care yourself, for example when you are off duty, or you delegate the care of a patient to a colleague, you must be satisfied that the person providing care has the appropriate qualification, skills, and experience to provide safe care for the patient

Question 6

How must you contribute to the safe transfer of patients between healthcare providers and between health and social care providers?

Answer 6

1. Share all relevant information with colleagues involved in your patients care within and outside the team, including when you hand over care as you go off duty, and when you delegate care or refer patients to other health or social care providers
2. Check, where practical, that a named clinical or team has taken over responsibility when your role in providing patients care has ended. This may be particularly important for patients with impaired capacity or who are vulnerable for other reasons

Question 7

How must you establish and maintain partnerships with patients?

Answer 7

1. Be polite and considerate
2. Treat patients as individuals and respect their dignity and privacy
3. Treat patients fairly and with respect whatever their life choices and beliefs
4. Work in partnership with patients, sharing with them the information they will need to make decision about their care
5. Treat information about patients as confidential. This includes after a patient has died
6. Support patients in caring for themselves to empower them to improve and maintain their health

Question 8

What information must be given to patients to allow them to make decisions about their care?

Answer 8

1. Their condition, its likely progression and the options for treatment, including associated risks and uncertainties
2. The progress of their care, and your role and responsibilities in the team
3. Who is responsible for each aspect of patient care, and how information is shared within teams and among those who will be providing care
4. Any other information patients need if they are asked to agree to be involved in teaching or research

Question 9

How can you support patients in caring for themselves?

Answer 9

1. Advising patients on the effects f their life choices and lifestyle on their health and well-being
2. Supporting patients to make lifestyle changes where appropriate

Question 10

What must you do if you have a conscientious objection to a particular procedure?

Answer 10

1. Tell them about their right to see another doctor and make sure they have enough information to exercise that right
2. Must not imply or express disapproval of the patients lifestyle, choices or beliefs
3. If it is not practical for a patient to arrange to see another doctor, you must make sure that arrangements are made for another suitably qualified colleague to take over your role