Leadership and management

Duties of a medical professional in the workplace

1

Medical professionals make an important contribution to the management and leadership of health services and the delivery of healthcare across the UK as part of a multidisciplinary team. All medical professionals have some responsibilities for using resources; many will also lead teams or be involved in supervising colleagues.

2

The primary duty of all medical professionals is for the care and safety of patients. Whatever your role, you must do the following.

  1. Engage with colleagues2 to maintain and improve the safety and quality of patient care.
  2. Contribute to discussions and decisions about improving the quality of services and outcomes.
  3. Raise and act on concerns about patient safety.
  4. Demonstrate effective team working and leadership.
  5. Promote a working environment free from unfair discrimination, bullying and harassment, bearing in mind that colleagues and patients come from diverse backgrounds.
  6. Contribute to teaching and training doctors, physician associates, anaesthesia associates and other healthcare professionals, including by acting as a positive role model.
  7. Use resources efficiently for the benefit of patients and the public.
2

Those you work with, including managers of services, whatever their role.