developing professionalism in health infomatics

PRIMIS Partnerships For Progress March 2004

Developing Professionalism in Health Infomatics

Brian Derry and Di Millen

UK Council for Health Informatics Professions

Professionalisation & UKCHIP

Brian Derry Shadow Council, UK Council for Health

Informatics Professions


The Problem

The need for a career pathway The need for adequate recognition

– Professional Credibility– Appropriate Remuneration– Correct Workplace Setting

The need for a professional “home” Current organisations do not meet these

needs


Bad Health Informatics Damages Patients Patients must have died due to the London

Ambulance system failure. (Parliamentary report)

Abnormal cervical smears not acted on until too late

Incorrect radiotherapy doses Downs Syndrome risks inaccurately

reported


The Real Problem

Patients are being damaged by bad health informatics

Patient care is increasingly impacted by informatics


Two problems – one answer

“Protecting patients and developing a career structure have to go hand in hand. If you look at any of the other scientists in the NHS, they have had to create professional bodies and career structures to protect patients”

Glyn Hayes, President, UK CHIP Council


What is a Professional Body?Lord Benson 1992

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 learning


Key Elements of a Professional Body Setting entry education and training

standards Ensuring continuing professional

competence of members For the benefit and protection of the public Leadership in a field of learning


The Medical Model of Professionalism

General Medical Council

British Medical Association

Royal Colleges

Education

Research

Qualifications

Pay & Rations

Trade Union

Members Needs

Professional Control

Patients Needs

Medical Schools


The First Steps

The NHSIA recognised the problem A steering group was formed:

– NHSIA

– BCS

– ASSIST

– UKIHI

– IHM


“Health Informatics”

“The knowledge, skills and tools which enable information to be collected, managed, used and shared to support the delivery of healthcare and promote health”

Includes:– Medical records, Coding, Audit– Libraries and knowledge management – Information systems dev and support – Information and communications technology – Help desk, Data analysts – Clinical/medical informaticians


Embracing all

“The breadth of the discipline offers particular challenges. Any solution or pathway to the establishment of health informatics as a recognised and respected national profession must be inclusive (not exclusive) and serve the needs and aspirations of all working within the profession, whatever their background or level of qualification”


Working with … not against

The health informatics professional community is currently fragmented

Collaboration must, however, also allow for individual professional bodies and groups to retain their identity


Meeting NHS needs but also..

If the national modernisation agenda is to realise its objectives, the Service requires sufficient skilled, knowledgeable, proactive specialists in all areas of health informatics

Must be UK wide and healthcare wide


Options

Do nothing Apply for Statutory Regulation now Agree to work incrementally towards

voluntary regulation


How do we make this inclusive and who should be included? All clinical and information professions must be

included We need managers who will encourage

membership The correct balance between inclusive entry and

rigorous accreditation is essential “Grandfather” entry


What are the barriers and risks? Lack of commitment from senior management Bringing people with varying backgrounds into

one professional body & risk of elitism Professional accountability involving a significant

cultural change and exposure to liability


What would make this attractive to you?

“The recognition that comes from professional standards and clear career pathways”


UK Council Over 50 Movers and Shakers invited Personal invitations not representatives First Meeting 23rd September 2002 Working Groups Established

– Professional Standards WG – Legal and organisational WG – Finance and resources WG – External Relationships and Communications WG – Registration WG

Web Site established


Inclusive

Full Time Informatics Professionals “Hybrid” Informatics Professionals NOT end users


UKCHIP’s formal Aim

“To be the regulatory body for all branches of health informatics in the United Kingdom”


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


UKCHIP Objectives

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


Timetable

Sep 02 Form the Council and agree a more detailed plan

Jan 03 Open a register of individual expressions of interest

Jul 03 Publish draft professional standards for consultation

Sep 03 Finalise initial version of standards Sep 03 Open a voluntary register of HI

professionals


Progress so far

Charitable company limited by guarantee 1,300 Expressions of Interest Piloting voluntary registration at 3 levels Talking to CHAI Initial work on CPD scheme Formal launch at NPSA on 10 March


What to expect

Defined standards for HI professionals Defined behaviour for HI professionals Registration to provide recognition for HI

professionals De-registration to protect patients CPD scheme Vision still statutory registration


CPD – “Standards for Better Health”

Governance Domain, core standard C12:“Health care organisations ensure that staff

concerned with all aspects of the provision of health care a) are appropriately recruited, trained and qualified for the work they undertake;

… c) participate in further professional

development commensurate with their work throughout their working lives.”


UKCHIP CPD

Pragmatic: use existing schemes What are your development needs? Planned Activity designed to meet fitness to

practice? Planned Activity that is aspirational? 40 hours per annum UKCHIPcpdformFeb04.htm


For further information & to register interest…

www.ukchip.org

http://www.ukchip.org/

Developing Professionalism in Developing Professionalism in Health InformaticsHealth Informatics

Di Millen

Why is this Important in Health Why is this Important in Health Informatics?Informatics?

Impact on the patient

Increased investment in technology and modernisation of the NHS Increasing capacity and capability

The Recruitment and Retention The Recruitment and Retention Survey 2000Survey 2000

Poor image Poor working conditions No career pathways Poor remuneration Loss of status

Especially for clinicians

An NHSIA ObjectiveAn NHSIA Objective

To establish health informatics as a recognised and respected national profession

“Pathways to Professionalism” conference July 2002

Health Informatics: a DefinitionHealth Informatics: a Definition

“The knowledge, skills and tools which enable information to be collected, managed, used and shared to support the delivery of healthcare and promote health”

Who is a Health Informatics Who is a Health Informatics Specialist?Specialist?

ICT Health records including clinical coding Librarians and knowledge management Information management including security and

confidentiality; clinical audit etc Strategic management and Directors Clinical informatics

““Making Information Count”Making Information Count” Annual conference for

specialists Accolades Scheme Partnerships

with Higher Education providers

With WDCs

CIO development programme

Functional Map and National Occupational Standards

Careers information Health Informatics within

NHSU UKCHIP

Code of Conduct Voluntary Register

And then …..And then …..

“Fast Track” development schemes Workforce guidance CPD guidance Qualifications Framework

Why are the National Occupational Why are the National Occupational Standards so important?Standards so important?

Making informatics mainstream

Supporting Agenda for Change Knowledge and Skills Framework National Qualifications Framework Job profiles National pay spine

What might a Qualifications What might a Qualifications Framework Comprise?Framework Comprise? Links to UKCHIP registration levels Links to Vocational Awards levels Building in what we already have

Like the Professional Awards in IM&T (Health) Identifying gaps Reviewing the role of Modern Apprenticeships,

Graduate Apprenticeships and Foundation Degrees

The Professionalism JigsawThe Professionalism Jigsaw

QualificationsStandards

Registration

CPD

developing professionalism in health infomatics

Documents