Professionalism

Question 1

The code covers dress styles that could detract from effective communication.
What examples does it give

Answer 1

• tshirt with slogans
• nail varnish or extensions
• extremes of hair styles
• body face or jewellery (except small stud earrings and wedding rings)
• wrist bands/string
• revealing clothing
• open toed sandals
• trainers
• clothing that covers most of face
• niqab
• strong odours perfumes or aftershaves

Question 2

Why might NHS trusts not permit students to wear wrist watches whilst on placements?

Answer 2

For cross infection reasons

Question 3

List 3 examples of good practice

Answer 3

• Wearing approved clothing
• wearing identification badges or university/trust identity passes
• tying back hair if it interferes with, or adds risks to clinical interaction

Question 4

‘Professional socialisation’

Answer 4

The process of turning a member of the lay population into a member of profession

Question 5

The following best describes the attributes of a profession

Answer 5

Knowledge: requires specialist knowledge that is not easiest understood by lay people

Working conditions: have control over their own work

Title: restricted to members

Service: altruism valued more than financial reward

Question 6

List the benefits associated with being a member of profession

Answer 6

Traditional:

• status
• social class
• intellectual challenge and interest
• job security

Question 7

Appreciate how the professions evolved over time to reach their current status

Answer 7

Origin of the health professions-
Apothecaries (who sold wines, herbs and spices, dispensed prescriptions)
Physicians
Other traders
- no regulation and no evidence that medicine more effective than astrology

But things changed :

• monopolies were created
• regulation was gradually introduced
• professions rose in social status

Why how?

• professions evolved through political struggles
• sought to convince the state that monopoly and autonomy desirable

Question 8

List expectations that the public have in the proffesions

Answer 8

• apply a high degree of skill and knowledge to their work
• act in the best interests of patients and the public and not be influenced by self interest
• objective and non-judgemental
• guided by the standards of their profession

Question 9

Describe the attributes of a profession and discuss the arguments why pharmacy may or may not be considered a profession

Answer 9

Attributes of a profession:
- specialised knowledge:  
  - not readily accessible to general public
  - I:T ration
       •indeterminate knowledge : technical knowledge 
- monopoly 
- autonomy 
   - self regulation 
- service orientation 
   - code of ethics 

Is pharmacy of profession:
•specialised knowledge
NO: - there has been a decline in depending skills
YES - therapeutic drug use, pharmaceutical science

•monopoly
NO- you can now get medicines from supermarkets/internet
YES - sale of “P” medicines, pharmacist can now prescribe medicines

•autonomy
NO - receive directions from doctors (rather than pharmacist, they follow the directions of docs)
YES - regulated by GPC, fitness to practice committees, direct their own work over the counter, prescribing

•service orientation
NO - commercial interests eg selling medicines
YES - advice, health promotion

Question 10

Describe the professional socialisation process

Answer 10

•selection 
•training
   - higher education (isolation)
   - relevant knowledge 
   - adoption of attitudes and behaviours 
      - fellow professional, examinations 
•recruitment 
•professional regulation

Question 11

Describe the attributes of professionalism and discuss the characteristics associated with professional appearance

Answer 11

Characters of professionalism:
•professionalism towards
  - the public
  - other professionals
  - Patients
  - Oneself 
     • aware of limitations
     • life long learnings
     • deal with mistakes
     • negotiate with others
     • keep promises and appointments 
     • provide and receives feedback
     • professional appearance 

3 aspects to professional appearance:

• clothing
• cleanliness
• behaviour