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Professionalism and Professional Standards for Doctors

👥 0 students 📖 31 lessons & topics

Course Description

Professionalism is fundamental to safe, ethical, and effective medical practice. Concerns relating to conduct, communication, boundaries, honesty, or clinical competence are among the most common triggers for GMC complaints and regulatory scrutiny. The General Medical Council (GMC) expects doctors to act with integrity, prioritise patient welfare, maintain trust, and work within their competence at all times. This course provides clear, practical guidance on meeting GMC expectations, recognising lapses early, and responding constructively through reflection and remediation where concerns arise.

Who This Course Is For

This course is designed for doctors at all stages of their careers — foundation doctors, specialty trainees, SAS doctors, GPs, and hospital consultants — working across NHS and independent settings in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is also suitable for senior medical students preparing for clinical practice and foundation training. It is particularly relevant for doctors facing complaints, investigations, fitness-to-practise proceedings, or remediation.

What You Will Learn

The course covers the core principles of professionalism including patient-centred care, integrity, accountability, and teamwork, maintaining professional boundaries with patients and colleagues, confidentiality and information governance, working within limits of competence, and the GMC’s Good Medical Practice as applied in everyday clinical work. You will also develop reflective practice skills and build a Personal Development Plan (PDP) to demonstrate insight and improvement.

What You Receive

On successful completion you receive a CPD UK accredited certificate and structured CPD evidence suitable for GMC appraisal, revalidation, remediation portfolios, and professional development records. The course is fully online and self-paced — accessible immediately after enrolment.

CPD UK Certified This course is CPD UK certified. The accredited certificate issued on completion is accepted as evidence for GMC appraisal, revalidation, and professional regulatory submissions.
Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. This course is CPD UK certified, and participants receive an accredited CPD certificate on successful completion.

Yes. The course provides structured CPD evidence suitable for GMC appraisal, revalidation, and professional portfolios.

Yes. This course is particularly suitable for doctors dealing with complaints, investigations, fitness-to-practise processes, or remediation relating to professionalism or professional conduct.

Yes. While primarily designed for doctors, the course is also suitable for senior medical students seeking to develop professionalism aligned with GMC expectations before entering clinical practice.

Yes. The course is delivered fully online and can be completed at your own pace, with instant access immediately after enrolment.

Course Content

1

Section 1 – Overview of Professionalism for Doctors

  • 1.1 Defining Professionalism

  • 1.2 Importance of Professionalism

  • 1.3 The GMC’s Role: Ensuring Professional Standards

  • 1.4 Summary Points and Quiz for Section 1

2

Section 2 – Core Principles of Medical Professionalism

  • 2.1 Patient-Centred Care

  • 2.2 Integrity and Honesty

  • 2.3 Accountability and Responsibility

  • 2.4 Confidentiality and Respect for Privacy

  • 2.5 Effective Communication

  • 2.6 Respect and Dignity

  • 2.7 Teamwork and Collaboration

  • 2.8 Reflective Practice

  • 2.9 Summary Points and Quiz for Section 2

3

Section 3 – GMC’s “Good Medical Practice”

  • 3.1 Overview of Good Medical Practice

  • 3.2 Summary Points and Quiz for Section 3

4

Section 4 – Professional Boundaries and Ethical Conduct

  • 4.1 Understanding Boundaries

  • 4.2 GMC Guidance on Boundaries

  • 4.3 Summary Points and Quiz for Section 4

5

Section 5 – Breach of Professional Standards, Its Consequences, and Remediation

  • 5.1 Understanding Breaches

  • 5.2 Consequences of Breaching Standards

  • 5.3 Regulatory Actions

  • 5.4 Dealing with a GMC Fitness to Practise Investigation

  • 5.5 Steps for Remediation

  • 5.6 Summary Points and Quiz for Section 5

6

Section 6 – Conclusion and Summary

  • 6.1 Conclusion and Summary