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
Challenging factors
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Technology
Organisation
Professional
Patient and client
Public
Funding
BCS Hampshire Branch
28.04.05
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
To represent all this
activity is a challenge
133 People to take care
of the patient
BCS Hampshire Branch
28.04.05
The Patient
“If I wanted to go there I would not
have started from here”
BCS Hampshire Branch
28.04.05
Not so much ‘In the future’ now!
Analysis of the voice
Audiogram
EEG, MEG., RMN.
Breath: volume, pressure, VO2, VCO2…...
Pulmonary sound
Cardiac sound
Vascular blood flow
Doppler Ultra Sound
Muscular sound
Arterial pressure
Emotional response
Vigilance, Mental charge
EMG signal processing
Activity of muscles:
movement, speed, power
ECG, EMG, BSM
Breath: Frequency, Amplitude, Flow,...
Skin: Temperature, Resistance,
Impedance, Blood Flow
Hydratation, color,…
Thermic & tactile sensitivity
Cardiac frequency & foetal movement
Urinal flow
Forms of the body & dimensions
laser, Ultra sound, X-Ray)
BCS Hampshire Branch
(Optic,
28.04.05
1997 The New NHS : Modern,
Dependable
1998 Information for Health
Protti evaluations
Building the Information Core
1999 Protti Report re I4H
2001 Protti II Report re progress to date
2000 NHS Plan : a plan for
investment and plan for Reform
Timeline NHS Informatics
2002 Delivering 21st Century IT
06/02/05 - v7
BCSHIC response
2002 Wanless (funding)
RADICAL STEPS
Treasury in Budget
Readiness Reviews
2003.12 NHS Confederation
2003.09 Medix Survey
2003 Wanless II (Public Health)
NPfIT communications
BCS Hampshire
Branch
28.04.05
BCSHIC response
End 2004 onwards
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
Fudge or fiddle?
BCS Hampshire Branch
28.04.05
Ethics of a professional
check 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 public
WATCH OUT for HI Week in May
BCS Hampshire Branch
28.04.05
Informatics in the Health
domain
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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
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 learning
1992
BCS Hampshire Branch
28.04.05
ref : Lord Benson
UKCHIP launch - 10.03.2004
BCS Hampshire Branch
28.04.05
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
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
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
UKCHIP Registration :
COMPONENTS
• Academic
• Job Role
• Years in Health
• Years in Informatics
BCS Hampshire Branch
28.04.05
UKCHIP
LEVEL
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
JOB ROLE
• BCS Industry Structure Model ( and Skills
for the Information Age specification)
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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
VOCATIONAL
COMPONENT -
In health
In informatics
– 1.5 (Level1)
– 3
(Level 2)
– 6
(Level 3)
– concurrent or sequential
BCS Hampshire Branch
28.04.05
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
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
Information sources
• www.bcshic.org
• www.bcs.org/forums
• www.ukchip.org.uk
• jean@hcjean.demon.co.uk
BCS Hampshire Branch
28.04.05
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