Background: Since 2011 medical doctors working in Ireland have been legally mandated to be accountable for maintaining professional competence. Doctors are required to submit of evidence of educational activities annually through a professional competence scheme (PCS). However, significant numbers of doctors are not engaging with PCS, with 16.3% (n=2,159) of those working in Ireland not yet enrolled. This situation threatens public trust. It casts doubt on the professionalism of doctors and the quality of care they provide. It creates risk for indemnifiers and a significant challenge for the regulator.
Aim: To explore doctors’ attitudes to regulation of professional competence and to identify barriers to participation, as well as solutions to enhance engagement.
Method: We propose a series of related studies triangulating on the issue of Regulation of Professional Competence (RPC); 1. A scoping review addressing the current context for RPC internationally.(What programmes are in place internationally, what theory and evidence supports them, what are the challenges and innovations in the field?)
2. A national survey of doctors addressing; ‘What are doctors’ attitudes to, beliefs about and experiences of and suggested improvements for RPC in Ireland?’
3. A qualitative study using socio-cultural identity theory to address the question; ‘What is the relationship between doctors’ professional identity, medical culture and regulation of professional competence?’
4. A qualitative study to address the question; ‘What solutions can stakeholders generate to address the problem of failure to engage and comply with regulation of professional competence?’
Impact: Integrated translation will ensure the rapid effective embedding of evidence based recommendations to enhance doctor engagement in the policy and operationalisation of PCS. Implementation will;
increase doctors’ engagement with PCS
enhance public trust, patient safety and quality of care
reduce risk for state indemifiers Peer-reviewed publications will inform international programmes of RPC.
