Understanding doctors: harnessing professionalism

8th May 2008

Many doctors feel that there needs to be a clearer understanding of their distinct role in the increasingly multidisciplinary environment of the modern NHS where other health professionals are taking on expanded responsibilities for patients’ care. According to a new report by the King’s Fund and the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) today’s doctors are also keen to develop new and better relationships with patients, NHS managers, professional leaders and government.

Understanding doctors: harnessing professionalism reports on 10 national consultation events asking doctors to reflect on their own future and the future of medical professionalism. A 2005 RCP report Doctors in Society defined medical professionalism as ‘a set of values, behaviours, and relationships that underpins the trust the public has in doctors’, and this was used to facilitate discussion with patients, carers, nursing and allied health professionals, NHS Managers and medical students.

Some of the key issues arising from this consultation include a broad consensus that:

Professionalism is not easily taught and assessed but is developed over time working alongside good role models
The information age has produced more informed patients who expect a different type of interaction with their doctor than in the past
Medical professionalism is enhanced by a positive engagement and involvement in NHS management, and there should be opportunities for clinicians to pursue careers that span medicine and management
Medical leadership is an area to be addressed, with a need for the collective voice of doctors to be presented more strongly in public debates about issues of health and health care

The changing role of doctors has not diminished their standing among the general public, as the results of an Ipsos MORI poll conducted on behalf of the RCP show. Trust in doctors, among adults in Great Britain, has been high since measurements began almost 25 years ago. Furthermore, 90% of GB adults trust their doctor to give accurate information; and almost as many trust them to have their interests at heart, reflecting the continued importance which patients place on their relationship with their doctor when making decisions about their healthcare.

Professor Ian Gilmore, President of the RCP, said ‘Providing clarity of the doctor’s role is a key challenge, and fundamental to taking medical professionalism to its next phase. This report supports the recommendations from Sir John Tooke’s recent inquiry into Modernising Medical Careers to strengthening medical leadership, enabling the profession to develop new relationships with government, patients and the local community.’

Steve Dewar, Director of Funding and Development at the Kings Fund, said ‘The world in which doctors work is changing. The information age has created more informed patients, meaning doctors’ interaction with patients is less paternalist and more about partnership. We found that most doctors are motivated and enthused by the challenges presented to them by this new role.

‘Many doctors told us that they are also looking for positive engagement with NHS managers. They understand that their professionalism means understanding management too and suggested that new career pathways may be required to allow individuals to practice both roles.’

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