Professionalism

To demonstrate commitment to patients, the community and the profession through the ethical practice of surgery by:

  • having awareness and insight
  • observing ethics and probity
  • maintaining health and wellbeing.
     

Select the PGY (1–3) tabs below to view the progression of the expected skills, knowledge and behaviours across the early postgraduate years

Key clinical tasks and the workplace

The related key clinical tasks (KCT) have been designed to help you apply the Framework to your job.  You can use these to obtain feedback on, and/or assessment of, your level of performance.

Select the check box next to a KCT for guidance on developing your professionalism skills and knowledge for this task

Select the KCT title to see the complete task, related competencies and downloadable assessment form

1

Comply with the legal requirements of being a doctor

2

Adhere to medical codes of practice and model professional behaviours including honesty, integrity, commitment, compassion, respect and altruism

3

Recognise discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying issues and know the hospital response requirements for such issues

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Professionalism

4

Recognise and accept responsibility for ethical issues as they relate to patients within the clinical unit

5

Demonstrate empathy, caring and compassion for patients, their families and carers and treat them with dignity and respect

6

Maintain and respect patient privacy and confidentiality

7

Maintain an appropriate standard of professional practice and work within personal capabilities

8

Treat colleagues and other health care workers with respect

9

Demonstrate flexibility and ability to adapt to change

10

Able to learn from mistakes (own and others)

11

Identify specific strategies for improving performance based on feedback

12

Maintain fitness for work

13

Recognise that it is inappropriate to practise when impaired, e.g. fatigue, ill health, alcohol, medications

14

Balance the demands of personal life and work

1

Acknowledge ethical complexity of clinical practice, and follow professional and ethical codes (Australian Medical Council and Medical Council New Zealand)

2

Comply with legal requirements in patient care, e.g. Mental Health Act, death certification

3

Comply with requirements of medico-legal reports

4

Mindful of potential impact of resource constraint on patient care

5

Monitor own health and fitness and seek medical help when appropriate

6

Mitigate personal health risks of medical practice, e.g. fatigue, stress

7

Critically reflect on own performance and make an accurate assessment of this

8

Show insight on what needs to be improved

1

Liaise with legal and statutory authorities, including mandatory reporting, where applicable

2

Provide evidence or attend court to support a colleague

3

Prepare police reports, or reports for community advocate/guardian, that have been appropriately reviewed by hospital management’s legal advisors

4

Recognise signs of a colleague in difficulty and respond with empathy

5

Act as a role model of professional behaviour in the workplace

6

Identify and actively intervene in areas of unprofessional behaviour

7

Aware of the College Code of Conduct and its implications for surgical practice

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Professionalism

8

Deal with ethical uncertainty and conflicting values; maintain ethical standards

9

Respond positively to suggestions for performance improvement

The JDocs website is an initiative of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

The aim is to provide career guidance to junior doctors in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand during the early prevocational years.

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