Professionalism

Question 1

what is the Hippocratic oath?

Answer 1

1. Covenant with the Deity: mankind world view/philosophy
2. Covenant with Teachers: collegiality and financial support
3. Commitment to Students: teach those who swear the oath
4. Covenant with Patients: use their best ability and judgment
5. Appropriate Means: using the established and accepted practices
6. Appropriate Ends: do what is best for the patient, rather than the physician
7. Limits on Ends: of life…
8. Limits on Means: limiting care to ones level of competence
9. Justice: avoid any voluntary act of impropriety or corruption
10. Chastity: avoid sexual relations with patients
11. Confidentiality: information governance
12. Accountability: which is a prayer that the physician be favoured by the gods if the oath is kept and punished if it is broken – regulation?

Question 2

what are the Standards for the dental team?

Answer 2

1. Put patients’ interests first
2. Communicate effectively with patients
3. Obtain valid consent
4. Maintain and protect patients’ information
5. Have a clear and effective complaints procedure
6. Work with colleagues in a way that is in patients’ best interests
7. Maintain, develop and work within your professional knowledge and skills
8. Raise concerns if patients are at risk
9. Make sure your personal behaviour maintains patients’ confidence in you and the dental profession

Question 3

what are examples of disruptive behaviour?

Answer 3

-Profane or disrespectful language

-Demeaning behaviour (for example, referring to hospital staff as “stupid”)

-Sexual comments or innuendo

-Outbursts of anger

-Throwing instruments or charts

-Criticizing hospital staff in front of patients or other staff

-Negative comments about another physician’s care

-Boundary violations with staff or patients Inappropriate chart notes (for example, criticizing the treatment provided by other caregivers)

-Unethical or dishonest behaviour

Question 4

what can lead to job burnout?

Answer 4

Lack of control
Unclear job expectations
Dysfunctional workplace dynamics
Mismatch in values
Poor job fit
Extremes of activity
Lack of social support
Work-life imbalance

Question 5

what collages do when they see someone acting unprofessionally?

Answer 5

Delaying action as long as possible

Protective support is used with considerable selectivity

Medicalisation of the problem makes it easier to deal with

An the informal mechanisms break down, the case invariably becomes more complex