The Medical Profession Flashcards
What is the technical definition of a profession?
- Asserting an exclusive claim over a body of knowledge/expertise
- Establishing control over market and exclusion of competitors
- Establishing control over professional work practice
What is socialisation in the context of profession?
The process by which professionals learn during their education and training the attitudes, behaviours and attitudes necessary to assume their professional role
During training and subsequently, individuals learn to internalise and cooperate with the collective norms of the professional group and align their conduct with the profession’s standards
Similar to the process through which children develop awareness of social values and norms and a distinct sense of self
Occurs through interaction with others – informal and formal curriculum – Formal: knowledge/tested through exams – Informal: attitudes beliefs/ performance noted but not formally examined
What are the arguments behind the claims for right to self regulation?
First, there is the claim that there is such an unusual degree of skill and knowledge involved in professional work that non-professionals are not equipped to evaluate or regulate it.
Second, it is claimed that professionals are responsible - that they may be trusted to work conscientiously without supervision.
Third the profession itself may be trusted to undertake the proper regulatory action on those rare occasions when an individual does not perform his work competently or ethically.
What actually occurs in the GMC currently?
All members are appointed independently
The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care oversee the Council
Civil rather than criminal standard of proof
Sweeping reform of processes
What happens when concerns are raised about a clinicians practice?
Concerns are referred to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Services (MPTS)
Reasons include: ₋ misconduct ₋ poor performance ₋ a criminal conviction or caution in the UK ₋ physical or mental ill-health ₋ a determination by a regulatory body either in the UK or overseas
What actions do the MPTS have at their disposal?
Actions by the MPTS: ₋ agree undertakings with the doctor ₋ place conditions on their registration ₋ suspend their registration ₋ remove them from the medical register
What other processes are in place to ensure constant high practice among clinicians?
Previously: you stayed on the register unless actively removed
Now: revalidation every 5 years
Based on values and principles of Good Medical Practice
What does re-validation involve?
A local evaluation of a doctor’s practice through annual appraisals that consider the whole of their practice.
Three key steps:
1. Participate in annual appraisals that have GMP at their core, usually in the workplace, and
2. Maintain a portfolio of supporting information to bring to their appraisals as a basis for discussion
3. Have a positive recommendation from a responsible officer
What evidence do you need for re-validation?
Continuing professional development Quality improvement activity Significant events Feedback from colleagues Feedback from patients Review of complaints and compliments
What are responsible officers?
Healthcare organisations have a duty to appoint a “responsible officer” – Doctor who will be responsible for dealing with local performance and conduct issues in liaison with the GMC – A duty to share information with other organisations about the performance and conduct of healthcare workers where needed to protect patients or the public
