Session 10 - Proffessionalisation

Question 1

Define proffession

Answer 1

• Type of occupation able to make distinctive claims eg im a doctor
• Usually require registration and has specialised tasks and roles

Question 2

What are the 3 stages of professionalisation?

Answer 2

1) Asserting an executive claim over a body of knowledge
2) Establishing control of the market
3) Establishing control over professional work practice eg noone else can do it

Question 3

Initially, how did the GMC control registration of doctors?

Answer 3

• Controlled entry and removal
• Doctrine of clinical autonomy once on register
• Assumed that individuals that were admitted to the profession were of good character and competent. (Does intellect translate to character?)

Question 4

What is socialisation in the medical profession?

Answer 4

• Process by which professionals learn their education of attitudes, behaviours and beliefs necessary to assume the professional role
• occurs through formal (exams) and informal means

Question 5

Initially how were doctors regulated?

Answer 5

• Self-regulation based on interest in the profession being the best guarantee of interests of the public
• Professionals are deemed responsible and could work without supervision
• Assumed that proper regulatory action would be taken when necessary ie work is not competent or ethical

Question 6

What were the major problems with self-regulation of doctors?

Answer 6

• Promoted a deceiving image of self and profession
• Not everyone is of good character and competence
• Failure of those in authority to detect signs of unacceptable or unprofessional behaviour

Question 7

Describe what happened to regulation after the end of selfregulation

Answer 7

• Members are now independently appointed and there needs to be a civil standard of proof
• Fitness to practice assesses doctors and their abilities in question
• Doctors require revalidation every 5 years to assure patients, maintain and approve practice and provide support

Question 8

Describe some challenges surrounding the professionalism of medicine

Answer 8

• Staff which notice or informed of inprofessional behaviour find it difficult to act
• Patients are often not believed
• Disciplinary procedures are seen as cumbersome and costly
• Fallible administrative systems lack clarity about who is in charge