Professionalism and Professional Standards for Doctors

Professionalism and Professional Standards for Doctors is a CPD-accredited online course designed primarily for doctors working in the United Kingdom. The course supports doctors at all stages of their careers in understanding, applying, and reflecting on professional standards set by the General Medical Council (GMC).

It is particularly relevant for doctors facing complaints, investigations, or fitness-to-practise processes, as well as those seeking to strengthen professionalism, accountability, and patient-centred practice in everyday medical work. The course is also suitable for senior medical students preparing for clinical practice.

Professionalism is fundamental to safe, ethical, and effective medical practice. Concerns relating to conduct, communication, boundaries, honesty, consent, or clinical competence are among the most common triggers for GMC complaints and regulatory scrutiny.

The GMC expects doctors to act with integrity, prioritise patient welfare, maintain trust, and work within their competence at all times. This course provides clear, practical guidance on meeting GMC expectations, recognising lapses early, and responding constructively through reflection and remediation where concerns arise.

This course is suitable for UK-based doctors, including:

• Foundation doctors, specialty trainees, and SAS doctors
• General practitioners and hospital consultants
• Doctors working in the National Health Service and the independent sector
• Doctors regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC)
• Practitioners facing complaints, investigations, fitness-to-practise proceedings, or remediation
• Senior medical students, particularly those undertaking clinical placements or preparing for foundation training

The course explores:

• What professionalism means in modern medical practice
• Core principles of professionalism, including patient-centred care, integrity, honesty, accountability, and teamwork
• Effective communication, empathy, respect, and cultural sensitivity
• Maintaining professional boundaries with patients, relatives, and colleagues
• Confidentiality, privacy, and information governance
• Working within limits of competence and maintaining professional skills
• The GMC’s Good Medical Practice and how it is applied in practice
• Recognising breaches of professional standards and their consequences
• Responding to complaints, concerns, and fitness-to-practise processes
• Reflective practice, insight, and remediation
• Developing Personal Development Plans (PDPs) to demonstrate learning and improvement

On successful completion of this course, participants will receive:

• CPD UK certified accreditation
• An accredited CPD certificate
• CPD evidence suitable for appraisal, revalidation, remediation, reflective portfolios, and professional development records

This course is aligned with the General Medical Council’s Good Medical Practice and related guidance. It supports doctors in demonstrating professionalism, insight, accountability, and fitness to practise, and supports medical students in understanding the professional standards expected as they transition into clinical practice.

This online course is relevant to doctors and senior medical students working or training across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, in both National Health Service and independent healthcare settings.