Person
Individuals within a healthcare work system are central to safe, efficient performance. In delivering healthcare these individuals interact with all other elements of the system; performing tasks using different technology and tools, within the working environment and as part of the wider organisation. They can influence, and are influenced by, each of these components in the delivery of healthcare processes.
In the context of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh the individuals involved in our health system include surgeons and dentists, other healthcare professionals including paramedics, advanced nursing and dental practitioners, and, of course, patients. To develop a rounded understanding of how these groups interact in a healthcare system we need to consider their knowledge, education, and training; understand their motivation and needs; as well as their physical and psychological characteristics.
Activity |
Patients
Empowering patients to engage effectively with health and healthcare requires that they have language and numeracy skills and a degree of understanding about health, disease, and the healthcare system. This is termed ‘healthcare literacy’ and is a central component of government policy to improve population health.
|
Surgeons/Dentists
The College works to facilitate the development of surgeons and dentists at every stage of their careers in a friendly, collegiate atmosphere. The growing network of 45 Regional Surgical Advisers keeps our community informed of opportunities at the College and offers advice as required. RCSEd inspires future generations through a diverse range of activities, including school student career fayres, undergraduate surgical and dental skills competitions, courses such as the Foundations in Clinical Surgery, and medical student elective grant support. Our Trainees’ Committee and Younger Fellows’ Club represents the interests of these groups, offering support through regular meetings, activities, and an annual residential. The RCSEd committee for Specialty Doctors, Associate Specialists, and Locums (SASLC) represents all SAS Doctors, Dentists, Locums, and those working in other similar grades. For retired surgeons, there is the Senior Fellows Club.
|
Other Health Professionals
Through its Faculties, RCSEd supports members of the wider healthcare team – paramedics through the Faculty of Pre-hospital Care, dental hygienists through the Faculty of Dental Surgery, and surgical care practitioners/surgical first assistants through the Faculty of Peri-operative care (FPC). The FPC provides education, training, helps set standards for non-medical practitioners in surgery, and supports ongoing professional recognition of this key workforce. |
Patient Safety Resources - Person
Resource |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RCSEd Surgical Undergraduate and Dental Undergraduate Skills Competitions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edinburgh Surgery Online MSc Patient Safety and Clinical Human Factors |
|
|
|
|
|
Learn more about the other areas of the SEIPS model here.