Professionalism Practice Questions and Correct Answers

Professionalism thought of as being part of a long history of being associated with certain professions: doctor, or lawyer. Over time understanding of professionalism has broadened to more occupations as an expectation of standards of behaviour to be displayed in that occupation. e.g. its not uncommon to hear a restaurant server, photographer, sportsperson, or manager in any sector described as professional or unprofessional. standards of professionalism standards of professionalism have become a focus for educators and employers in a range of occupational sectors. - evidence suggests that efforts to increase professionalism within the workplace are having limited impact. (e.g. in medical training, professionalism remains a major concern) Government claims that healthcare staff fail to treat patients with appropriate levels of respect and compassion.) = much discussion about how people develop professionalism. finding common ground in the discussion of professionalism is challenging; studies in different disciplines utilise a range of different methodologies and methods, drawing upon different theoretical frameworks. Methods and theories are also often used in combination and without robust justification for doing so, and so making comparisons and achieving synthesis very difficult. The professions concept of professionalism, characteristics, skills, and attributes of individuals and occupations related to it, have evolved over time. The initial theoretical conceptualisation of professionalism came from a sociological viewpoint, and this view endures today, though predominantly within those traditional professions listed above. This theory proposed that members of 'the professions' are granted certain permissions within society which are not granted to the general public or other professions. These permissions include the right to regulate their own standards, practice, and sanctions for malpractice internally, on the basis that non-members do not have sufficient information and understanding to make such judgements. after the 1960s period of rapid scientific, technological, and academic advancement, which resulted in members of the traditional professions quickly climbing the social ladder, both in terms of status and income. This upward mobility came to receive criticism as non-profession members accused the professions of being the result of a system which encouraged self-promotion, which was achieved by controlling access, workload, practice, and, in the case of medicine, the broader healthcare system under the claim of public service. As a result, medicine and the other traditional professions, became subject to increasing levels of external review, regulation, and audit, and therefore were required to account for their (organisational) self-regulation to external powers.