Professionalism in a changing Health environment

1. Professionalism in a changing Health environment Jean Roberts BCS Health Informatics Forum Policy lead Jean@hcjean.demon.co.uk BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

2. Challenging factors • Technology • Organisation • Professional • Patient and client • Public • Funding BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

3. DEFINITIONS HI is the knowledge, skills and tools which enable information to be collected, managed, used and shared to support the delivery of healthcare and to promote health. Health informatics is concerned with the systematic processing of data, information and knowledge in medicine and healthcare. The domain covers computational and informational aspects of processes and structures, applicable to any clinical or managerial discipline within the health sector whether on a tele (remote) basis or not. Health informatics is delivered by operational health practitioners, academic researchers and educators, scientists and technologists in operational, commercial and academic domains HI is study of the nature and principles of information and its applications within all aspects of healthcare delivery and promotion BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

4. To represent all this activity is a challenge 133 People to take care of the patient The Patient BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

5. “If I wanted to go there I would not have started from here” the military philosophy psychology management mathematics nursing cognitive science medical physics operational research imaging computer science experiential MBCHB : MD (micro)biology BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

6. Not so much ‘In the future’ now! Analysis of the voice EEG, MEG., RMN. Audiogram Breath: volume, pressure, VO2, VCO2…... Pulmonary sound Cardiac sound Vascular blood flowDoppler Ultra Sound Muscular sound Arterial pressure ECG, EMG, BSM Breath: Frequency, Amplitude, Flow,... Emotional responseVigilance, Mental charge Skin: Temperature, Resistance, Impedance, Blood Flow Hydratation, color,… Thermic & tactile sensitivity EMG signal processingActivity of muscles: movement, speed, power Cardiac frequency & foetal movement Forms of the body & dimensions(Optic, laser, Ultra sound, X-Ray) Urinal flow BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

7. BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

8. Patient data may come from anywhere • Visits the dentist / therapist ... • Has home visit from GP, nurse, care worker, midwife … • Visits a Walk-in Centre • Calls OOH service • Uses a Home Healthcare Guide • Calls NHS Direct or NHS Direct Online • Visits OP • Attends A&E • Visits GP / Practice nurse • Goes to pharmacy / self-medicates • Attends as IP and has interventions …. BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

9. Fudge or fiddle? BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

10. Ethics of a professionalcheck out www.ukchip.org.uk • development of a strong Code (of Ethics / Conduct) • establishment of standards of professionalism that will set you ‘apart from the crowd’ • provision of information for organisations and employers by ethics experts in HI • circulation of case studies and other information to keep the importance of ethical conduct highly visible to all members of the profession and the publicWATCH OUT for HI Week in May BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

11. Informatics in the Health domain • FOCUS : Diagnosis, care and treatment • HISTORY : Computing since early 60s • LOCATION : Disparate and isolated • POSITION : Non-mainstream service • IDENTITY : Caricature only • INTEGRATION : minimal BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

12. Definition of a Professional Body • Controlled by governing body which directs behaviour • Sets entry standards and professional competence • Sets ethical rules and professional standards • Body is designed for benefit of public & not members • Work often reserved by statute • Ensures fair and open competition • Members must be independent in thought and outlook • Gives leadership in a field of learningref : Lord Benson 1992 BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

13. UKCHIP launch - 10.03.2004 BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

14. Synergy & subsidiarity • The health informatics professional community is currently fragmented and covers a wide range of competencies • Collaboration must, however, also allow for individual professional bodies and groups to retain their identity and activity BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

15. Challenges • Include ALL clinical and ‘informatics’ professions • Engage managers to encourage membership, stimulate professional development … • Strike the essential correct balance between inclusive entry and rigorous accreditation • Cope with existing critical mass by a grandparent entry scheme • Establish processes complementary to other organisations • Look forward and outward consistently BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

16. Progress so far • Corporate establishment as Charitable company limited by guarantee • 1100 Registrations in or through pipeline • Standards, Code of Conduct, website, on-line Registration scheme, Continuing Professional Development examples accruing • Formal launch (March 04) • Recognition from many quarters BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

17. UKCHIP Registration : COMPONENTS • Academic • Job Role • Years in Health • Years in Informatics UKCHIP LEVEL BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

18. ACADEMIC • Level 1 - N(V)Q 2 …… 5+ GCSEs • Level 2 - N(V)Q 3 …… 2+ A levels • Level 3 - N(V)Q 4 …… HNC, first Degree, or higher • but that only takes you so far, how do you prove you can operate safely in the real world? BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

19. JOB ROLE • BCS Industry Structure Model ( and Skills for the Information Age specification) • autonomy, responsibility and authority • influence • job complexity • personal skills • mapping to DH Job Evaluation Handbook, Knowledge & Skills Framework and National Occupational Standards BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

20. VOCATIONAL COMPONENT - In health In informatics • 1.5 (Level1) • 3 (Level 2) • 6 (Level 3) • concurrent or sequential BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

21. Stages to go • Count down the Health Professions Council membership • Recruit and retain registrants • Formalise Council elections and business practices • Transition entry and re-registration processes to long term versions • Map synergistic qualifications, CPD, roles .. BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

22. Why bother? • Profession is maturing • Standards will be set and the barre is raising • Licence to practice will become mandatory • UKCHIP has increasingly recognisable cache • Personal development well-defined and visible BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

23. Information sources • www.bcshic.org • www.bcs.org/forums • www.ukchip.org.uk • jean@hcjean.demon.co.uk BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05

24. UKCHIP Objectives • a)      To promote, advance and encourage the study and practice of the application of Informatics in the promotion of health, well being and dying with dignity • b)      To establish, uphold and improve the standards of qualification, training, competence and conduct of Health Informaticians in the United Kingdom • c)      To establish mechanisms for the benefit and protection of the public • d)      To collaborate with official bodies, societies and professional associations on matters relating to the above BCS Hampshire Branch 28.04.05