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Letters to the Editor
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Professionalism
Give us more autonomy
From Mr J. Woolley
How refreshing to hear a voice of reason regarding the over-zealous
interventionist approach of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society towards
its members (PJ, 17 March, p307). A.
Matalia’s letter prompted
me to consider how this issue impacts on prospective members of the profession — preregistration
trainees. As Mr Matalia stated, notions of what constitutes professional
conduct are indeed subjective and vary among individuals. However, the
Society seems unwilling to allow preregistration trainees the opportunity
to determine their own concept of professionalism.
The evidence-gathering, competency-based method of assessment currently
in use during the preregistration year is a prime example of the meddlesome
actions of the Society. There are no fewer than 76 competencies, each
of which must be supported by between three and five items of evidence
(or more depending on your tutor). I find that this process is time-consuming
and achieves little by way of making me more professional. Most of the
competencies are extremely patronising attempts to define basic life-skills,
which I am sure the vast majority of preregistration trainees already
possess. I understand and accept the need to assess the skills and knowledge
of preregistration trainees, but surely that is the purpose of the end-of-year
examinations. I implore the Society to give preregistration trainees
more autonomy to manage their own development. I think I would benefit
from spending more time focusing on my own needs rather than having to
write-up and cross-reference tedious tracts of supporting evidence.
I think that the level-headed and sensible suggestions from your correspondent
should be used to guide the Society when considering the professional
development of preregistration trainees.
Joseph Woolley
Preregistration trainee
Mid-Cheshire Hospitals Trust
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The concept of professionalism in the 21st century and how individuals
are collectively responsible for the integrity of a profession are discussed
in an Article (p461)
— EDITOR
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The
Pharmaceutical Journal