5.0 being a professional

Professionalism means

demonstrating a set of values, behaviours, and attitudes that reflect your commitment to the role you play in healthcare.

As future pharmacists, professionalism is about

maintaining high standards,

ensuring patient safety,

collaborating with healthcare teams,

and acting with integrity and respect.

From a sociological perspective some of the identified characteristics of a professional include:

• The confidential nature of the professional - patient/client relationship

• Shared ethical values i.e. a set of rules that regulates the profession

• Theoretical knowledge that underlies the  practice of the professional

• A professional culture where there is some broad agreement on how a member of the profession should behave and how this is passed on to new members of the profession

• The wider community sanction the power and privilege of professionals 

Pharmacy professionals play a vital role in delivering care and helping people to maintain and improve their health, safety and wellbeing.

The professionalism they demonstrate is central to maintaining trust and confidence in pharmacy.

 Standard 6: Pharmacy professionals must behave in a professional manner.

here are many ways that could demonstrate that you are meeting this standard and some  examples include:

• Are polite and considerate

• Are trustworthy and act with honesty and integrity

• Show empathy and compassion

• Treat people with respect and safeguard their dignity

• Maintain appropriate personal and professional boundaries with the people you provide care to and with others

Pharmacists work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and dietitians.

Effective teamwork requires professionalism, including clear communication, respect for the expertise of others, and a willingness to collaborate for the best patient outcomes.

In complex cases, like managing liver disease or cancer,

professionals must share information efficiently, work toward common goals, and respect each other’s input.

trust + accountability

Patients and healthcare colleagues rely on pharmacists for accurate information and sound clinical judgment. 

Pharmacists are held accountable for their actions, which means they must take responsibility for any decisions or errors

patient centered care

Patients and healthcare colleagues rely on pharmacists for accurate information and sound clinical judgment. 

Pharmacists are held accountable for their actions, which means they must take responsibility for any decisions or errors

ethical decision making

Pharmacists often face ethical dilemmas, such as navigating difficult decisions and conflicts of interest. Acting with ethical integrity means prioritizing the patient’s well-being and adhering to ethical standards set by the regulatory body (GPhC)

Being professional ensures that pharmacists act impartially, without letting personal beliefs impact on patient care.

lifelong learned competence

Pharmacy is  rapidly evolving  with new medications, technologies, and research emerging regularly. A professional pharmacist commits to lifelong learning to stay updated on the latest developments.

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