LO7
Deal with Complex and Challenging Situations in the Workplace
This Learning Outcome is relevant to all 4 ACCS placements. The acute care setting, whether it be emergency medicine, internal medicine, intensive care or anaesthesia can be a stressful environment. Circumstances arise unpredictably which may be challenging, not only clinically but with regards to communication and professional interactions. This learning outcome is about preparing the acute care trainee to deal with them effectively.
These situations may result from patient anxiety and involve issues pertaining to consent, capacity and confidentiality with the subsequent need to communicate decisions clearly and to effectively resolve areas of disagreement or conflict. In managing these situations, the doctor needs to demonstrate empathy and understanding and operate within a specific legal and ethical framework as defined by legislation and guidance from the General Medical Council, the Royal Colleges and other significant professional bodies.
The acute care doctor needs at all times to behave in a professional manner with patient safety as a priority.
Key Capabilities
Will know how to reduce the risk of harm to themselves whilst working in acute care.
Will understand the personal and professional attributes of an effective acute care clinician.
Will be able to effectively manage their own clinical workload.
Will be able to deal with common challenging interactions in the workplace.
Programme of Learning
RCEM Learning material including EM Leaders modules 1-3 - Teams, Self and Systems.
Formal teaching in ACCS will include material mapped to the key capabilities in this ACCS LO.
Trainees will need to record their interaction with learning material and reflection that maps to the key capabilities.
Evidence to Inform Decisions
Mini-CEX
Logbook
Entrustment decision
MSF
Feedback from patients
Programme of Assessment
Trainees should seek feedback on dealing with challenging situations. This might include patients who appear distressed or angry. This must be done with senior staff able to maintain patient and trainees safety. Feedback and reflection on challenging interprofessional encounters would demonstrate the practical application of approaches and concepts developed in the programme of learning.
Entrusting Decisions: Level 2a
At the end of ACCS a trainee should be entrusted to work effectively as a member of the acute care team, with appropriate personal professional attributes.
Page Contributors
Dr Sunny Jutla
Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Lead for EM3
Tom Brown
Website Designer
Dr Krishna Savadia
FY2 Emergency Medicine