🏅Good Medical Practice

Good Medical Practice: Key Themes for Doctors

The Good Medical Practice guidance, published by the General Medical Council (GMC), outlines the principles, values, and professional standards expected of doctors, physician associates, and anaesthesia associates registered in the UK. The framework is structured into four key domains, each representing essential aspects of professional practice:

1. Knowledge, Skills, and Development

Doctors are expected to maintain competence and provide care aligned with the latest evidence and guidelines. This includes:

• Staying up-to-date with advancements and continually improving knowledge and skills.
• Reflecting on feedback and engaging in lifelong learning.
• Delivering care within personal capabilities and seeking advice when necessary.
• Using healthcare resources sustainably, considering environmental impacts without compromising standards.

2. Patients, Partnership, and Communication

The focus is on patient-centred care, emphasising respect, effective communication, and collaboration. Key aspects include:

• Treating patients with kindness, courtesy, and dignity, recognising their individual needs.
• Involving patients in decision-making, ensuring they are fully informed about their treatment options.
• Safeguarding vulnerable individuals and ensuring equitable treatment regardless of personal characteristics.
• Maintaining confidentiality and addressing errors with openness and honesty.

3. Colleagues, Culture, and Safety

A positive workplace culture underpins effective patient care and professional relationships. Doctors must:

• Treat colleagues with respect, promoting a compassionate and inclusive environment.
• Actively contribute to patient safety by identifying and addressing risks.
• Provide clear, accurate, and timely documentation to ensure continuity of care.
• Support colleagues through mentoring and sharing knowledge, while recognising and addressing performance issues that may affect patient safety.

4. Trust and Professionalism

Doctors are entrusted with safeguarding the health and wellbeing of patients and the public. Upholding this trust requires:

• Acting with honesty, integrity, and professionalism in all interactions.
• Avoiding conflicts of interest and maintaining appropriate boundaries with patients and colleagues.
• Cooperating with regulatory and legal requirements, including transparency in fitness-to-practice issues.
• Managing personal health and recognising when it may affect professional responsibilities.

Applications and Implications

The guidance is not a prescriptive rulebook but a framework requiring doctors to apply professional judgement in diverse circumstances. It forms the basis for professional development, revalidation, and regulatory processes to ensure public safety and trust. Doctors must demonstrate insight, act in good faith, and justify their decisions in complex scenarios.

By following these principles, medical professionals can navigate challenges, deliver safe and effective care, and maintain trust in the profession.