Advice & Insight From Pre-Registration Recruitment Exam Specialists
Person-centred care is the first attribute domain in the Foundation Trainee Pharmacist Professional Attributes Framework. It incorporates five specific attributes. You should recognise questions which are centred around this area and make sure to incorporate the framework correctly.
Typical questions focusing on this domain might involve another of your team not providing due empathy to a patient or not showing interest in a patient; you or your team not working together to empower patients; someone failing to understand a patient’s situation; or someone putting themselves before a patient.Â
As an example, a question might prompt you with the information that the other pre-reg pharmacist on your ward has been curt with patients – they’ve spoken to them and given them the information that they need, but not taken the time to listen to their questions and make them feel comfortable. This has led to the patient confiding in you, and asking for help.
When working through the options, you must therefore look for a way of demonstrating your own empathy and ability to focus on others. You’ll likely encounter an option that allows you to explore the situation further with the patient, which would be suitable. Other suitable avenues will involve speaking to the team-member in private, or demonstrating to the patient that you have a genuine interest in their case – perhaps through returning to check on them as appropriate. Poor options that ought to be ranked lower, or not selected depending on the question type, would involve defending your team-member, reporting your team member inappropriately early, or ignoring the patient yourself.
Learn the best Pre-Reg Oriel strategies and practice with reflective questions & worked solutions.
1.1 Demonstrates empathy and seeks to view situation from the individual’s perspective
This means that you must listen to the patient and their point of view, rather than relying on your own point of view, notes, or information from other professionals only. It means that you must not jump to conclusions. Look for options that allow you to establish a rapport with the patient.
1.2 Places the person who is receiving care first, in everything they do (NHS Values 1))
This is a crucial element of professional practice, and has wide-reaching consequences within the content of an SJT. In a typical question, it might mean that you may need to take time out of your own schedule to help patients – for example, you may be required to stay late to help a patient.
1.3 Accurately assesses, takes into account and is sensitive to the person’s current and longer -term expectations, needs, situation and their wider social circumstances (NHS Values 2 & 4)
This is a wide-ranging attribute that covers a variety of expected behaviour. It means that you must take the time to speak to patients and listen to them (accurately assess), that you must use the information that they provide to you and act on it appropriately (takes into account) and that you show empathy for their thoughts and feelings (is sensitive to). In particular, bear in mind that their wider social circumstances or needs could have a true impact on their care – perhaps someone is less able to take their medication on discharge, perhaps they come to you and discuss concerns around having to take medication long term – and you must show that you are able to delve into the topic and show empathy towards them. Never ignore a patient’s concerns.
1.4 Shows genuine interest in, and compassion for, the individual; makes them feel valued (NHS Values 4)
As above, the patient should feel that you genuinely care – as you do. That means that options that ‘explore,’ ‘discuss’ or ‘work with’ are sensible, whereas options that perhaps prioritise efficiency or your own interests are likely to be poor. Take the time to demonstrate to patients that you are there to help them.
1.5 Works collaboratively with individuals, empowering and guiding every person to make an informed choice in their care (NHS Values 1)
This means that you ought to work with patients (rather than work with team members). In other words, the patient ought to be your equal, and your role is to furnish them with information. This means that you must be open and honest, not withhold information, and provide information clearly in a manner that they can understand.
