We are all Healthcare Professionals
It is the expectation of patients, families and other healthcare providers that we all behave professionally.
In Ontario there are 21 regulated health professions, each is governed by an independent college that sets standards for knowledge, skills and behaviour for their members. [2] The legal framework for this structure is administered for the provincial government through the Ministry and Long-term Care. The colleges are responsible for the self-regulated functions of the professions as outlined in the Regulated Health Professions Act.
However you define it - professionalism carries with it expectations of altruism, kindness, dignity, responsibility, trust, dedication and respect. The absences of these behaviours can lead to medical error and must be taken seriously. "Intimidating and disruptive behaviors can foster medical errors, contribute to poor patient satisfaction and to preventable adverse outcomes"[1] Professional behaviour can be regulated but ultimately it is the responsibility of the whole team to see it not just as a personality issue, but what it really is - a patient safety issue!
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1. The Joint Commission. Behaviours that undermine a culture of safety. July 2008. Available from: www.jointcommission.org/SentinelEvents/SentinelEventAlert/sea_40.htm
2. Some of the Colleges are: College of Nurses of Ontario www.cno.org College of Physiotherapists of Ontario www.collegept.org/ College of Dietitians of Ontario www.cdo.on.ca/en/ College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario www.coto.org Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers www.ocswssw.org/