Practice in Pharmacy

Running head: PRACTICE IN PHARMACY 1
Practice in Pharmacy
Name
Institution

PRACTICE IN PHARMACY 2
Practice in Pharmacy
Part A: Definition of Terms
The issues of professional communication and professionalism play a pivotal role in
fostering efficient delivery of healthcare services in Australia and the globe at large. The current
section of the study seeks to define professionalism, patient-centered communication, ,
accountability, altruism and excellence as the primary concepts of professional communication
and professionalism.
Professionalism is defined by Lifchez, Cooney, and Redett (2015) as the ability of a
healthcare worker to demonstrate behavioral standards that are capable of supporting the delivery
of optimal care by projecting higher levels of competence and confidence. Further, Barker,
Cornwell and Gishen (2016) reveal that the concept of professionalism puts into consideration
the ability of the healthcare worker to empower, foster and support healthcare service users by
being suitably informed on the efficacy of taking ownership of the institutional processes.
Professionalism begins with the positive presentation of the physician through adherence to the
provisions of strict compliance with institutional rules and regulations, the national uniform
policy and dress code.
Commitment to competence is a term used to refer to the ability of a healthcare
professional to undertake their professional assignments by embracing a culture that promotes
quality. McLoughlin et al. (2017) explain that commitment to competence is attained when
pharmacists apply the skills and knowledge gained in institutional settings to accomplish the
roles that define their jobs.
Code of ethics refers to the document that is institutionalized with the aim of outlining
the values and mission of a particular profession. For instance, the pharmacy board of Australia

PRACTICE IN PHARMACY 3
has set out its own codes of conduct and ethics that are expected of all pharmacists in Australia.
The document gives a clear outline of how pharmacists need to approach institutional challenges,
and the necessary ethical guidelines that are based on the core values of the profession.
Accountability is defined by Barker et al. (2016) as the ability of a healthcare
professional to demonstrate the ability of being answerable for their actions to service users,
governmental agencies, employers, judicial agencies and peers. Therefore, accountability in
healthcare seeks to audit the effectiveness of a physician in justifying and taking responsibility of
his/her actions. According to Lown et al. (2016), physicians are held accountable for their
professional competence, ability to promote public health, ethical conduct, legal performance,
financial executions, and fostering community benefit.
Excellence is a concept of professionalism refers to the ability of a physician to
demonstrate high quality, distinctive and meritorious practice. According to Lown et al. (2016), a
caregiver who strives to meet the principles of excellence shows greater anilities in fostering
commitment to excellence, exceeding the measures and standards set by the institution both in
the lines of education and practice, having a proper understanding of the underlying values and
principles of ethics and being knowledgeable of the boundaries of practice.
Patient-centered communication is defined by Regan et al. (2016) as a healthcare concept
that vets the ability of a physician to elicit and gain a deeper understanding of the needs, ideas,
feelings expectations, and perspectives. Further, patient centered communication puts a lot of
consideration on appreciating patients based on their unique cultural and psychological contexts
to foster proper attainment of a mutual understanding.
Altruism is defined by Barker et al. (2016) as the ability of a healthcare service provider
to show higher degrees of regard to service users and team members. Ideally, Lifchez et al.