Over the last few months we’ve been researching the role of the FY1 doctor to confirm exactly what might be taken into account when selecting applicants for the Foundation Programme. We’ve interviewed FY1s themselves, as well as clinical tutors, programme directors, patients, and others, and we’ve shadowed FY1s in various parts of the UK. We’ve also surveyed the academic literature, and taken account of the requirements in Tomorrow’s Doctors 2009. Through this job analysis we’ve developed a list of characteristics that make good trainee doctors, over and above the clinical skills and knowledge they gain at medical school. The aim of this questionnaire is to get your feedback about the relative importance these ‘professional attributes’, and to check that we’ve not missed anything in our earlier research.
The questionnaire is in three parts;
The first lists the attributes we’ve identified so far, and asks you to score their importance to the role of the FY1 doctor. Definitions for these attributes are highlighted at the bottom of this page. Please consider these before answering the questions.
The second asks you to say how important it is to take each of the attributes into account for selection into the Foundation Programme; it also asks you to suggest any other attributes we might have missed.
The third asks for some background information about you- such as age, gender, and so on, so we can tell whether the completed questionnaires have come from a good cross section of respondents.
We would be very grateful if you could spend a few minutes to complete the questionnaire to help us build a better selection process for the future.
Thank you very much for your time.
Definitions of Attributes
Commitment to Professionalism: Displays honesty, integrity and awareness of confidentiality & ethical issues. Is trustworthy and reliable. Demonstrates commitment and enthusiasm for role. Willing to challenge unacceptable or unsafe behaviour when appropriate. Takes responsibility for own actions.
Coping with Pressure: Capability to work under pressure and remain resilient. Demonstrates ability to adapt to changing circumstances and manage uncertainty. Remains calm when faced with confrontation. Develops and uses appropriate coping strategies. Demonstrates judgment under pressure.
Effective Communication: Actively and clearly engages patients and colleagues in equal/open dialogue. Demonstrates active listening. Communicates verbal and written information concisely and with clarity. Adapts style of communication according to individual needs and context. Able to negotiate with colleagues & patients effectively.
Learning & Professional Development: Demonstrates desire and enthusiasm for continued learning, takes responsibility for own development. Willing to learn from others and from experience. Is open and accepting of feedback. Demonstrates a desire and willingness to teach others.
Organisation and Planning: Manages and plans workload effectively, displaying efficient time management and delivering tasks on time. Able to prioritise effectively and re-prioritise where appropriate. Is conscientious and maintains accurate records.
Patient Focus: Ensures patient is the focus of care. Demonstrates understanding and appreciation of the needs of all patients, showing respect at all times. Takes time to build relationships with patients, demonstrating courtesy, empathy and compassion. Works in partnership with patients about their care.
Problem Solving and Decision Making: Demonstrates an ability to assimilate a range of information and identify key issues. Engages with the wider issues and thinks creatively to solve problems and reach appropriate decisions. Is proactive and demonstrates initiative. Is able to attend to detail.
Self Awareness and Insight: Demonstrates awareness of the boundaries of their own competence. Willing to seek help when required, recognising that this is not a weakness. Exhibits appropriate level of confidence and accepts challenges to own knowledge.
Working Effectively as Part of a Team: Shows capability & willingness to work effectively in partnership with others and in multi-disciplinary teams. Demonstrates a facilitative, collaborative approach, respecting others’ views. Offers support and advice, sharing tasks appropriately. Demonstrates an understanding of own and others roles within the team and consults with others where appropriate.
