I'm turning into a really harsh critic of my own regulatory body, but I think it's a trend now. An understandable one too.
The GPhC has just proposed standards on regulating body language and tone of voice for Pharmacists. Unfortunately, I thoroughly disagree. The freedom to adapt body language and tone of voice as the situation requires is an acquired skill, not something to be distilled into a written document.
It goes hand in hand with social skills - forming part of our ingenuity for detecting social cues, changes in behaviour and so on - which we use both in and out of work. To risk being pretentious, thousands of years of evolved human behaviour.
Personally, I think it's a non issue. Regulation of Pharmacists is necessary, but it's a given that health professionals can police basic behaviours in the workplace. We do not need fingers wagged at us and given lectures about how we compose ourselves.
Personally, I think it's a non issue. Regulation of Pharmacists is necessary, but it's a given that health professionals can police basic behaviours in the workplace. We do not need fingers wagged at us and given lectures about how we compose ourselves.
The PDA has raised concerns that this could be exploited by the large multiples/chains in disciplinary hearings, giving them more opportunity to bully employee Pharmacists. Individual Pharmaicsts could be placed in difficult situations with aggressive and unreasonable patients, and be afraid of being assertive in case they're punished later.
It also contradicts the other proposed standards the GPhC is looking to introduce, mainly:
- Be prepared to speak up: challenging poor practice and behaviours in the professional setting
- Develop leadership skills: acting as a role model and leading the team
How are Pharmacists expected to do the above if they'll be punished for using assertive body language and raising their voice as required?
To quote myself "I will strive to be the best Pharmacist I can, in spite of this." To my fellow Pharmacists, remember that you're role models and must show what it means to be ethical, empathetic and adaptable. Don't let adversity stop you being your brilliant selves.
To quote myself "I will strive to be the best Pharmacist I can, in spite of this." To my fellow Pharmacists, remember that you're role models and must show what it means to be ethical, empathetic and adaptable. Don't let adversity stop you being your brilliant selves.
Below is the article from Chemist & Druggist
Chemist & Druggist Why did the PDA brand GPhC proposals as "Orwellian"?
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