My Concerns and Plans for Development in the Areas of Interpersonal Working and Quality - Assignment Example

Introduction Every professional has his or her concerns, both personal and professional. Even after having put a great deal of thought into choosing a profession it is possible that the reality of practicing the profession might differ somewhat from what one might have anticipated. In my case, because of the extensive reading I did about the diagnostic radiography profession before entering the field I did not encounter too many surprises but this is not to say that I do not have any concerns. I want to be able to maintain my enthusiasm for the profession and to be excited about going to work; I do not want to lose the love I had for the profession when I first entered it. With this in mind, two areas that seem to me to be of particular interest and concern are those relating to interpersonal interaction and quality. Few professionals in the hospital setting have to do everything independently. There is a great deal of interdependence among professionals in the health care environment and successful dealings with one another rest on good communication, respect, and sensitivity. There are also many practical elements that one can bring to bear on such relationships such as the establishment of intradepartmental protocols In any case, this paper focuses on my concerns and plans for development in the areas of interpersonal working and quality, both of which seem to me to be of critical importance towards my continued ability to remain in the profession and to operate to the highest level of my ability. Inter-professional working In dealing with other professionals, it is understood that communication is very important. Although I am a good communicator, I recognize that there is always room for improvement and so I will continue to enhance my communication skills through training and ongoing practice in the work place and other forums. Good communicators usually have a wide range of strategies that they can use so that they can not only get their point across but also manage their relationship with the other person. For example, it is possible for me to get my point across, sometimes in what might appear to others as a rather brusque way. Even though I might feel good for having been able to get things off my chest, there might be lingering resentment on the part of the other party to the communication and such failure in communication is unlikely to help the relationship. So, I need to seek out communication training opportunities so that I can express myself clearly, with verve but also with an eye towards building and maintaining relationships rather than alienating those with whom I will be in close contact on account of our professional relationships. I have often looked with envy upon my colleagues who appear very confident in everything they do, ranging from their handling of technical elements of the profession to their interaction with staff and even handling of external relations. In my experience, some of these individuals are confident because of something in their background such as their family history or their intellectual prowess. In some other cases, it might be that they might have got a lot of support and encouragement at home, an affirmation that they are worthy individuals. Though I come from a good family background, I have perhaps been too imbued with the notion of humility to let my confidence always show. I have sometimes felt that acting too confident may come across as being arrogant and have therefore felt the need to hold back and take a back seat to others. In fact, I have sometimes felt that giving others the opportunity in the limelight whether at meetings or in other necessary details of my profession will give the impression that I am a caring person, and indeed, I am a caring person. My diffidence, however, has sometimes been interpreted as a lack of confidence. This is not a good thing because patients want to have confidence in their radiographer, their nurse or their doctor. I have realized through my reading and communication with others on this matter that some elements that signal my lack of confidence include the way in which I hold myself. I may be communicating with my body that I am not a confident person when I sit down in a slouched manner. With this in mind, I have recently tried to maintain great awareness about how I stand and how I sit and how I shake hands with people. Even though on the outside I am doing a good job of appearing confident, I think that confidence goes deeper than just the outward appearance of it. As important as the image of confidence is, it is also important to feel it and to have such confidence emanate from within. I believe that the development of competence is an accessible means by which to gain confidence. I have observed to my satisfaction that some of the most knowledgeable people in my profession, those that we turn to whenever we have a problem, often project a confidence that is borne of their expertise. Their deep knowledge informs their confidence and knowing that others depend on them for knowledge, such individuals, it seems continually seek to build their knowledge and thus continue to inspire trust in others. Being in a position of trust, being in a position where one’s word is considered important for others to rely on is one sure way to build confidence in oneself. It is also a means to confidence that is accessible to someone like me because I really do want to excel. It might mean spending a little bit of time every day to read my professional journals; it might mean taking more seminars and developing myself more; it might mean greater contact with some of the more knowledgeable people in my profession and seeking to emulate them. It might also mean making an effort to share my knowledge with some of the newer members to the profession. Certainly, those who have come after me can look upon me as their own fount of knowledge. Being a mentor can build my confidence and force me to continually push the boundaries of my knowledge. The commitment that I have to this aspect of my development assures me that success will be mine in due course, at least, as far as the building of confidence is concerned. While some of the onus on effective inter-professional development rests on departmental policies and protocols, I believe that some of my personal strengths, which include a natural willingness to help at all times, place me in a good position to relate well with others. This takes into consideration, however, the best interests of patients. In addition, though I am an introvert by nature I am aware of the need for working as part of a team and do what is necessary for me to fulfil my work when teamwork is required. More and more it has become necessary for professionals like me to work with other professionals. This has particularly been the case not only because of the nature of a radiographer’s work but also because there is a growing consensus that “integrated teams make for better communication between professionals” (Wellard 2007). Furthermore, I am a good listener and while I may not always take the initiative, I am able to work under pressure and remain calm even when things appear to be in turmoil. I am a highly adaptable individual, respectful of others, and always willing to do my best, and those are good foundations upon which to build a solid inter-professional relationship. In order to become even more effective in the context of inter-professional working, I will take private coaching or participate in seminars that deal with interpersonal relationships. Being able to understand different personalities and how to relate to them as well as how to diffuse potentially unsettling conflicts can enhance the working atmosphere both within a department and across departments. It is incumbent on me, and indeed, other health professionals, to continually refresh my memory regarding the standards of proficiency expected radiographers, as stipulated by the health professions council (Standards of proficiency radiographers. http://www.hpc-uk.org/publications/). Being a good organizer can also be useful when one is representing one’s profession or dealing with others. There are times when I am required to attend meetings and try to engage in dialogue with others. In such cases, I have not been very active in my organisation for the proceedings. This would often have involved contacting many different people, arranging meeting times, and getting information on key agenda items. Though it involves an element of communication, it is also a matter of organization and I believe that I could improve considerably in this area. For one thing, one has to be personally well organized to be able to coordinate such events. It often involves taking care of many little personal details including when to call someone back, whom to invite, even where to set up the meeting. I have often preferred to leave it to others to organize such details and I think that it does nothing to enhance my professional standing or allow me to get to know some of these other professionals beyond the communication that happens at the meeting room. It has often been said, in business circles, for example, that relationships formed on the golf course can be very powerful and lead to the consummation of many deals in the business world. Though the world of health care and that of business differ in significant ways, human nature is pretty much the same, and being able to meet people in comfortable settings outside of the hospital, or being able to share information with others for the purpose of mutual personal and professional development can be very useful. Closely tied in with the matter of organization is that of leadership. It is no secret that leadership often gravitates to those who can communicate their ideas clearly and give voice to the aspirations of people in their group. I have never sought to be a voice for those in my profession. This is not because I am not ambitious but simply because I do not think I am good enough at being a leader. Recently, however, I am beginning to disabuse myself of the notion that leaders are born. More and more, my reading and research on leadership, assures me that leaders can be made, which is to say, that getting the proper training and following through, doing what it takes, can help one develop leadership skills. It is a matter of both mindset and skills and I believe that I can easily acquire the skills and with it do what I can to change my attitude. In fact, I can say with a measure of certainty that my attitude in this regard is changing. Though I have not begun to take the lead in many matters arising in my department, I think my studies on leadership put me in the right mental framework to take the next great leap towards actually acting as a leader. By working well with others, I can have not only the personal satisfaction of doing things well but also contribute to patient satisfaction, which “breeds patient loyalty” (Communication is a success factor 2007). References Communication is key success factor. July 2006. Healthcare Registration, 6-7. Standards of proficiency radiographers. http://www.hpc-uk.org/publications/ (March 13, 2007) Wellard, Sarah. 2/15/2007. All Together Now. Community Care, 1660: 36-37. Quality In the field of health care, attention to detail is very important. This is because what may seem like a little error could have a big impact, possibly an adverse effect on someone’s life. It is important, therefore, for professionals in the medical field to be continually alert to their responsibilities and to ensure that their work measures up not only to the expectations of the public but also that their work conforms to the requirements of the relevant health authorities. More importantly, a person who is committed to delivering quality work, not just once in a while, but all the time, is fit for the profession. In reality, however, even the most conscientious individuals, whether as doctors, nurses, or diagnostic radiographers, are prone to error but this should not be taken as an excuse for delivering shoddy work. Rather, a diagnostic radiographer, as in my case, needs to make the effort to keep up with the relevant body of knowledge that will ensure that patients get the very best care possible. Quality encompasses many elements, including a responsibility from the hospital to provide equipment that works well and for the radiographer to bring to the table the relevant skills of diagnosis so that the patient’s needs can be met. The commitment to excellence in a diagnostic radiographer is not an afterthought. Rather, it is a basic requirement for those who want to get into the profession. In addition to producing and interpreting X-rays of the body in order to identify and diagnose injury and disease, diagnostic radiographers may also have to carry out “interventional procedures such as biopsies” (Careers in radiography 2006). This is a heavy responsibility, one that I do not take lightly, because not making the proper interpretation could mean that doctors involved in the care of a patient are starting out on the wrong foot. Quality work demands that I cannot be satisfied with what looks good enough; I should be certain that my interpretation of an X-ray is a reflection of my best possible judgment. In this regard, it is sometimes necessary to consult with fellow radiographers who may bring their own expertise to bear. In other words, doing quality work does not mean relying solely on oneself; there are times when getting the opinion of a supervisor or trusted fellow worker can make all the difference especially if the individual has had some experience with the particular condition under consideration. Also, radiographers handle equipment that involves radiation such as “X-rays, radioisotopes, ultrasound and magnetic resonance” (Careers in radiography 2006). While the equipment involved can be considered to be generally safe, in the hands of a person who does not care about quality, they can become death-dealing machines. Exposing a person to too much radiation may have either short term of long term negative impacts and so it is my responsibility as a diagnostic radiography professional to ensure that I am not overexposing patients to radiation or to anything that can adversely affect their health. There is also an emotional aspect to the job of a radiographer. Often people who come for radiography are not in the best of health and some may be wondering about what lies ahead for them. It is very easy to empathize with patients and to feel their pain. This, however, should not be allowed to get in the way of doing a good job. One cannot wish away a patient’s disease and glossing over the truth will not be in the interest of the patient. This means that I have to be honest in my assessments and diagnosis and not allow my emotions to cloud my judgment. Tiredness or over-involvement with patients can be detrimental and so as part of my commitment to quality I make sure that I exercise and maintain good health myself. As the article, “Careers in Radiography,” point out: “You need to be interested in science subjects such as biology and physics and be able to work with and keep up to date with complex high-tech equipment, techniques and treatment. You need to be quick-thinking, paying close attention to detail, as well as having a caring bedside manner while dealing with patients. You need to be emotionally strong as the work can be stressful and emotionally demanding” (Careers in Radiography 2006). Quality includes ensuring that one has the necessary competence in dealing with equipment available in one’s hospital. Among the specialist courses that I have either taken or plan to take to maintain my confidence and to ensure quality are those involving “ultrasound, computed tomography (CT scanning) and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as research, evidence-based practice, palliative care and counselling” (Careers in Radiography 2006). With regards to evidence-based practice, there is a large body of scholarly material that I have been working my way through. It is important to keep up with the latest research because there is always something new that people in my profession need to be aware of. When it comes to counselling, however, I believe that it will be in my interest to take a number of short courses, ones that would likely involve the use of role-play under the guidance of a professional. Being in a position in which I have to respond to patients, doctors, and nurses, it is of critical importance to be able to deliver quality work and to provide quality communication as well. . It is important to note that quality does not betoken only the correct diagnosis of X-rays or other forms of radiography. Rather, quality also involves making sure that equipment in use is not abused or that improvements are made in the way services are delivered. For example, how long do clients have to wait before they are given the service they need? While many patients have become used to the notion of waiting in hospitals, this need not be the experience of patients in my department and so, along with my colleagues, we are always looking for ways by which to ensure that patients get timely service. When patients have to wait, the quality of materials they have to read can also be important. Do they have access to water, tissues or the washroom or do they have to wander the halls looking for such amenities? In the matter of quality, it has always been my aim to ensure that clients are getting the best care possible, with safety in mind and that I am being a good steward of the resources of my department. To ensure that I provide quality work, I must always be aware not only of things I have to do, that is “acts” but also things I might not do but that are important, that is, “omissions.” In order not to forget anything important, I have a checklist that I refer to much in the same way that pilots, even experienced pilots, often go through their checklists to ensure that they do not leave out anything that is important. Among my personal qualities that go to help me in delivering quality work are my willingness to work as part of a team and my ability to solve problems. As noted above, there are times when one has to work with others in order to secure a quality outcome. This is particularly the case when the people in one’s group have different strengths that complement one another. In addition, my sense of empathy allows me to see things from the point of view of clients. In this question, I sometimes hark back to the old Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Since I do not like waiting unduly when I go to the hospital I try the utmost to ensure that clients do not have to wait unnecessarily for long periods. At the same time, my commitment to quality means that I do not rush reports or the diagnostic process simply to save time. Such a time-saving would be spurious as it would have ignored one of the key elements of the work I do – quality. Furthermore, being a diagnostic radiographer requires having a logical turn of mind and the willingness and tenacity to analyse results, sometimes under conditions of great pressure. At such times, it is important to maintain the presence of mind and not allow the pressure of the moment to compromise the quality of the work. As a professional it is also important for me to be ethical in my dealings with others, including colleagues, patients, and my employer. This means that I cannot take decisions without thinking through the full implications. Though I am not aware of any unethical practices in my hospital, needless to say, if I became aware of any such practices I will make sure that the relevant parties are notified. Ideally, any such unethical practice would be promptly addressed within the department but failing that, the relevant authorities have to be aware of it. This would include, for example, criminal offence as stipulated by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. This recognizes that employers need to be aware of any lapses so that they can correct them as soon as possible but where such ethical or moral lapses continue, such as cases of failure to comply with legal obligations, miscarriage of justice, or any attempts to compromise the health of clients (Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998), then it would be my professional, ethical, and moral duty to ensure that the matter is addressed by the appropriate authorities, knowing also that, by law, my position will be protected. References Public Interest Disclosure Act.1998. London, HMSO. http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1998/80023--a.htm#1 (March 7, 2007) Careers in radiography. March 13, 2006, Daily Post, 18. College of Radiographers. 2002. Statements for Professional Conduct. London, College of Radiographers. www.sor.org/public/pdf/profcond2.pdf (March 7, 2007) Bibliography KRUGER, J.P. 1988. Sexism in advertising. Communicare, 7(3):12-15, March 11. Bore, Miles R. et al. Sep 2005. Assessment of Personal Qualities in Selection of Medical Radiation Science Students. Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology, 33.3, 180. Brown, Alan. Dec 2004. Professionals under pressure: contextual influences on learning and development of radiographers in England. Learning in Health & Social Care, 3(4): 213-222, Careers in radiography. March 13, 2006, Daily Post, 18. College of Radiographers. 2002. Statements for Professional Conduct. London, College of Radiographers. www.sor.org/public/pdf/profcond2.pdf (March 7, 2007) Communication is key success factor. July 2006. Healthcare Registration, 6-7. Dufflin, Christian. September 2006. ‘Turf war’ alert over ECP proposals. Emergency Nurse, 14(5):3. Health professionals Council. http://www.hpc-uk.org/publications/ (February 20, 2007) Health pros get prescribing powers. Jun 2004. Occupational Health, 56(6):7. Iankova, Andriana. October 2006. The accountability of Emergency Nurse Practitioners. Emergency Nurse, 14(6):20-25. Kelly, Olivia. (Feb 5, 2002). Two separate strands to study of radiography. Irish Times, 54. Nakamura, Minoru & Marion, Frank. (May/Jun 95). Radiographers Today. World Health, 48(3):10. Nixon, Susan. (Apr 2006). Modernising radiography education. Synergy, 4. Public Interest Disclosure Act (1998). London, HMSO. http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1998/80023--a.htm#1 (March 7, 2007) Radiographer. Mar 19, 2006. Wales on Sunday, 42. Rowland, Sophie. Feb 2006. An overview of reflective practice. Synergy, 23. Rushton, Michelle. Mar 9, 2006. Make waves in medicine. Liverpool Echo, 44. Standards of proficiency radiographers. http://www.hpc-uk.org/publications/ (March 13, 2007) Wellard, Sarah. 2/15/2007. All Together Now. Community Care, 1660:36-37. Whyte, Alison. :Oct 28, 2003 Your future in black and white. The Independent, 3. “X-ray and scan referral guidance.” (12/15/2006) Practice Nurse, 32(10):7. Appendix 1 SWOT Analysis Interpersonal working Strengths: able to work well with others good listener Opportunities: able to learn from others able to share knowledge with others Weaknesses: somewhat passive not known for taking the initiative Training needs: better knowledge of how to handle different personalities how to deal with conflict Community and public involvement Strengths: longstanding involvement in the community (volunteer service) have networking ties in the community Opportunities: community involvement offers opportunities to know people in the community Weaknesses: over involvement can affect professional considerations community development work can be demanding and draining of personal energy Training needs: enhancing knowledge about the specific needs of non profit organizations learning how to get others to do things for themselves rather than just doing it for them Professional competence Strengths: confident about technical skills comfortable with technology and changes in technology Opportunities: able to extend the boundaries of my knowledge continually Weaknesses: sometimes come across as being too relaxed not known for participating actively in meetings Training needs: development of soft skills such as effective communication conflict resolution training Managing conflict Strengths: not prone to starting conflict very understanding Opportunities: Weaknesses: might let an issue fester calm, not easily excited into fits of anger Training needs: conflict resolution conflict prevention effective communication skills Quality Strengths: committed to high quality able to pay attention to detail Opportunities: continued professional development could translate into being at the cutting edge and thus able to produce quality work at all times Weaknesses: may spend too much time worrying about quality Training needs: learning to balance the need for quality with the need for speed Supervision Strengths: some experience with supervision recognize the importance of supervision Opportunities: learning to become a better supervisor than supervisors I have known in the past making continued learning a cornerstone of my development Weaknesses: do not like supervision have a negative view of supervision because of some past experiences that were less than stellar Training needs: need to learn more about management need to learn more about leadership Read More