HCPC research examines preventing small problems from becoming big problems in health and care
Health and Care Professions Council
A new research report published today by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) offers a groundbreaking study of the triggers for disengagement in health and care professionals from Picker Institute Europe alongside a thought-provoking review of the literature on competence from Professor Zubin Austin of the University of Toronto.
Entitled ‘Preventing small problems from becoming big problems in health and care’, the research aims to explore in more detail the reasons behind some of the complaints against health and care professionals. The HCPC will use the outcomes of this research in workshops for employers, educators and registrants to generate discussion about how disengagement might be prevented.
Within his literature review, Austin offers a challenge to think differently about the ways in which we define competence, suggesting that constructs like team work, emotional intelligence, and engagement may help to shift us closer to the models of health and care that are fit for purpose in the twenty-first century. This has implications for education, training and practise at all stages in a professional’s career.
The Picker Institute’s study draws on a review of fitness to practise cases, interviews and focus groups with patients, service users and HCPC registrants. It concludes that disengagement is most frequently a symptom of underlying issues, associated with poor levels of support and supervision, lack of autonomy, professional isolation, personal circumstances, under-utilising skills and a lack of support for continuing professional development. It also highlights that where a culture of no blame is encouraged, where professional networks are strong and where managers offer appropriate support, it is possible to identify signs of disengagement early on.
Professor Zubin Austin of the University of Toronto, commented:
“Understanding how health and care professionals maintain their knowledge, skills, and competency over a lifetime of work is an important issue for regulators, employers, and users of services. HCPC's international leadership in this area will be of vital importance to all of us who are interested in ensuring we have a safe and effective health care system staffed by caring and competent professionals.”
Anna van der Gaag, HCPC Chair, added:
“We hope that this work will help to generate more conversations amongst health and care professionals, and act as a catalyst for change. It is in no-one's interests to see further escalation in the number of complaints, and every attempt to prevent problems from arising in the first place is to be welcomed.”
