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Professional Behaviours Assessment TAQ1 |
TAQ 1
Learning outcome
Understand the characteristics required to be a medical practitioner with reference to the GMC, patient-centred care and concepts of professionalism as they apply to medicine.
Assessment Criteria
Analyse the characteristics required to be a medical practitioner with reference to:
- the General Medical Council’s outcomes for graduates
- patient-centred care
- concepts of professionalism as it applies to medicine
Question
Write a short essay based on the following title:
An analysis of characteristics required to be a medical practitioner, and how these characteristics promote effective patient-centred care and professionalism.
You are advised to base your analysis on the following characteristics:
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Professional knowledge
Word count
600
Help and guidance
- Analyse means to explain how and why the characteristics are important to medical practitioners – so you must go further than just identifying or describing the characteristics.
- Analyse means to identify the key factors, show how they are linked, and explain the importance and relevance of each factor.
- When planning your essay, you will need to ensure that you use the GMC guidance for graduates and link this guidance to patient-centred care and professionalism.
Suggested Essay Structure
Introduction: Briefly outline the characteristics you are going to consider in your answer.
- GMC guidance – Communication and interpersonal skills
- GMC guidance – Professional knowledge Main Body: Analyse how the two chosen characteristics are important for:
- Patient-centred care
- Professionalism Conclusion: Briefly summarise why these characteristics are important to medical practitioners.
Answer
Introduction.
In the UK patient-centred care is a core principle enshrined in the NHS Constitution for England (Department of Health and Social Care, 2023). This principle, combined with medical professionalism, which forms the trust between the public and healthcare professionals, is vital for effective patient care (GMC, 2024). These requirements shape the essential characteristics of an effective medical practitioner. This essay will examine two critical characteristics--Professional knowledge, and Communication and interpersonal skills--and how they promote patient-centred care and professionalism.
Communication and interpersonal skills.
An important characteristic for a medical practitioner is the ability to communicate effectively with the patient, and all those involved in their care, whilst also respecting the patient's right to confidentiality (GMC, 2024; GMC, 2018). For a doctor to accurately inform a patient of their care, they must communicate in an honest and open way, a way that matches the patient's level of the understanding and encourages discussion. Through this approach, a doctor lays the groundwork for informed consent, by ensuring disclosure and comprehension. By demonstrating empathy and compassion towards the patient, they foster a positive relationship, which allows the patient to be vulnerable enough to share information that may be needed in their care (GMC, 2018). Moreover, by acknowledging the patient's values, feelings and wishes, the doctor creates a collaborative approach where the patient is empowered to be an equal decision maker in their own care (GMC, 2024; GMC, 2018). Ensuring informed consent through honest disclosure and patient comprehension, enables shared decisions with the patient and, if appropriate, other non-medical patient advocates--a core principle of patient-centred care. By adhering to the patient's right to confidentiality and maintaining honest, non-judgemental dialogue, the medical professional promotes professionalism by establishing integrity and trust (GMC, 2024; GMC, 2018).
Professional Knowledge.
The application of professional knowledge is a required characteristic for a medical practitioner to deliver effective patient care (GMC, 2024; GMC, 2018). Through professional experience, a doctor will have knowledge in a wide range of settings where patients receive care (GMC, 2018). This diverse care experience not only imparts an understanding of how care is delivered across the health service, but also enables them to better identify and provide care for patients with more diverse needs. Through this understanding the doctor can facilitate a personalised and seamless continuity of care for the patient as they interact with various care services (GMC, 2024; GMC, 2018). An effective doctor must also have a commitment to continual professional development (GMC, 2024; GMC, 2018). Through research and the proficient application of the scientific method, and continual learning, they maintain up-to-date knowledge. Informed decisions are essential for effective patient care and maintaining patient trust in that care. A doctor must also have knowledge and understanding of population health and how diseases and illnesses affect groups of people in their communities (GMC, 2018). Through this holistic approach the doctor can provide personalised care and illness prevention. These outcomes deliver a holistic, seamless personalised social care and illness prevention, which are features of patient-centred care (GMC, 2024; GMC, 2018). The commitment to maintaining up-to-date knowledge and skills promotes professionalism through integrity and trust.
Summary
The essential characteristics of Professional knowledge, and Communication and interpersonal skills, help to ensure patient-centred care by tailoring care to the needs, preferences, and values of the individual patient, and placing them at the centre of all decisions about their health and wellbeing. They also promote professionalism by upholding high personal and professional standards, ensuring patients are able to trust medical practitioners with their health, and lives (GMC, 2024).
References
Department of Health and Social Care, 2023. The NHS Constitution for England. [Online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-constitution-for-england/the-nhs-constitution-for-england (Accessed 11 November 2025).
General Medical Council, 2020. Outcomes for Graduates 2018. [Online] Available at: https://www.gmc-uk.org/cdn/documents/outcomes-for-graduates-2020_pdf-84622587.pdf (Accessed 11 November 2025).
General Medical Council, 2024. Good medical practice. [Online] Available at: https://www.gmc-uk.org/cdn/documents/good-medical-practice-2024---english_pdf-102607294.pdf (Accessed 15 11 2025).
Revision history:
- 2025-12-04T00:00: Note created
- 2025-12-08T22:01: Final version.