Professionalism Remediation for Healthcare Professionals
Professionalism is part of safe and effective healthcare. When concerns arise about behaviour, communication, accountability, boundaries or working relationships, structured remediation can help you understand the concern, address the real learning need and show others that your practice has genuinely changed.
- UK healthcare focused
- Regulator-aware
- Evidence-led learning
- Independent provider
Where are you with your remediation?
Tick each statement that is true for you today. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
Tick the statements that apply to see where to focus next.
What is professionalism in healthcare?
Professionalism is the set of behaviours, attitudes and responsibilities that make it possible for patients, colleagues and the public to trust a registered professional. In practice it means behaving respectfully, communicating appropriately, maintaining professional boundaries, taking responsibility for your actions and decisions, working effectively with colleagues, keeping patient interests and safety at the centre of your practice, responding constructively to feedback, keeping your knowledge and skills up to date, and recognising and working within the limits of your competence.
UK regulators express this in different ways. The GMC's Good medical practice (2024) is organised into four domains, one of which is "Trust and professionalism", alongside domains on patients and communication, and on colleagues, culture and safety. The NMC Code is organised around four themes, including "Promote professionalism and trust". The HCPC's standards of conduct, performance and ethics include standards on communicating appropriately and effectively and on working within the limits of your knowledge and skills.
The exact expectations depend on your profession, your regulator, the professional standards that apply to you and the circumstances.
Why is professionalism important in healthcare?
Patient trust
Patients share information, accept advice and consent to treatment because they trust the professional in front of them. Behaviour that undermines that trust affects care.
Patient safety
Dismissive communication, failure to escalate or reluctance to accept responsibility can all have real consequences for safe practice.
Teamwork
Healthcare depends on colleagues who feel able to speak up, ask for help and share information. Poor professional relationships make that harder.
Public confidence
Professionals are expected to maintain standards that support confidence in the whole profession, not only in their own practice.
Common professionalism concerns
Each of the examples below may give rise to a professionalism concern, depending on the circumstances. Most are addressed locally, through feedback, supervision or appraisal, and never become regulatory matters.
Communication
- Dismissive communicationNot taking concerns seriously or cutting people off.
- Inappropriate toneSarcasm, raised voices or curt written messages.
- Failure to listenWith patients, relatives or colleagues.
Behaviour
- Disrespectful behaviourTowards patients, colleagues or students.
- Inappropriate workplace behaviourConduct at odds with the setting and the role.
- Repeated interpersonal difficultiesA pattern of conflict across teams or settings.
Accountability
- Not taking responsibilityDeflecting when things go wrong.
- Responding poorly to feedbackDefensiveness or dismissal of legitimate concerns.
- Not recognising limitationsWorking beyond competence or not seeking help.
Teamwork
- Poor collaborationWorking in isolation when the task needs a team.
- Not sharing informationFailing to pass on what colleagues need to know.
- Behaviour towards colleaguesUndermining, excluding or belittling others.
Boundaries
- Blurred boundariesOver-familiarity with patients or families.
- Misuse of positionUsing the role for personal advantage.
- Inappropriate relationshipsPersonal or online contact outside the professional role.
Attitudes to learning
- Resistance to learningNot engaging with training or development.
- Not engaging with improvementIgnoring agreed actions or plans.
- Professional attitudesViews that affect how patients or colleagues are treated.
How is professionalism different from misconduct and probity?
These areas overlap. A single case can involve all of them. The question is which one sits at the centre of your concern, because that determines what your remediation needs to address.
| Area | Primary focus | The question it asks |
|---|---|---|
| Professionalism | How you behave, communicate and fulfil professional responsibilities | Does the concern involve behaviour, communication, responsibility or relationships? |
| Misconduct | Conduct that may fall seriously below professional standards and become a regulatory concern | Is this conduct serious enough to be a regulatory matter? |
| Probity | Honesty, integrity and openness | Is there an issue with honesty, integrity or openness? |
| Competence | Knowledge, skills and ability to practise safely | Is there a gap in knowledge, skills or clinical ability? |
| Poor performance | Performance that does not meet expected standards over time | Is the overall standard of work below what is expected? |
Put simply, professionalism is the everyday standard; misconduct is what can happen when a failure to meet it is serious enough to become a regulatory matter. Many professionalism concerns are resolved long before that point, which is one reason early, genuine remediation matters.
Can professionalism concerns lead to fitness to practise proceedings?
Depending on your profession, your regulator and the circumstances, concerns about professional behaviour can become relevant to fitness to practise. They are more likely to do so where behaviour is serious, repeated, continues after it has been raised, affects patient safety or involves a vulnerable person.
- ConcernRaised by a patient, colleague or manager
- EvidenceAccounts, feedback, records and your response
- AssessmentLocally, and sometimes by the regulator
- ResponseWhat you understand and accept
- DevelopmentRemediation and changed behaviour
- DecisionLocal outcome or regulatory decision
A professionalism concern does not automatically establish impaired fitness to practise or result in a sanction. Where a concern does reach a regulator, decision-makers consider current impairment, which is where evidence of insight and changed behaviour becomes central. See how misconduct cases are decided in stages for more detail.
What does professionalism remediation involve?
Professionalism remediation is defined by change, not by certificates. The seven steps below move from understanding the concern to showing that your behaviour is different now.
- 1
Understand the concern
What behaviour or professional issue has been identified?
- 2
Understand the standard
Which professional expectation applies?
- 3
Reflect
What happened, and what contributed to it?
- 4
Develop insight
Why was the behaviour problematic, and for whom?
- 5
Identify the learning need
What specifically needs to improve?
- 6
Change behaviour
What will you do differently, and do you?
- 7
Demonstrate improvement
What evidence shows the change has happened?
What does insight mean in a professionalism concern?
Insight goes well beyond "I understand my behaviour was inappropriate." A stronger account shows what happened, your personal responsibility, the impact on others, why the behaviour was inappropriate, which standards were relevant, what contributed, what you should have done instead, what has changed and how you have reduced the chance of it recurring.
Limited insight
"I accept that my communication with the team was not always appropriate. I was under a lot of pressure at the time and I have learned my lesson. It will not happen again."
- Describes the behaviour only in general terms
- Uses pressure as the explanation
- Says nothing about impact on others
- An intention, with no evidence of change
Stronger insight
"On three occasions I responded to junior colleagues' questions in a way that made them reluctant to ask again. I now understand that this discouraged escalation and put patients at risk. Pressure made it more likely, but how I responded was my responsibility. I have completed communication training, ask my supervisor for monthly feedback, and I now take a moment before responding when I'm under pressure."
- Specific about what happened
- Connects behaviour to patient safety
- Acknowledges context without excuse
- Shows concrete, verifiable change
These are illustrative examples written for this guide, not templates to copy. Regulators look for insight that is genuine and specific to your own situation.
The NMC's current guidance on insight and strengthened practice asks whether a professional can look at the situation objectively, recognise what went wrong, accept their role, appreciate what should have been done differently and understand how to act differently in future. When deciding whether a concern has been addressed, it considers evidence such as reflection, relevant training and completed action plans.
How to reflect on a professionalism concern
Work through these questions in order. The second column explains why each one matters, which is where generic reflections usually fall short.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| 1. What happened? | A specific, factual account is the foundation. Vague descriptions suggest limited understanding. |
| 2. How did my behaviour affect others? | Professionalism concerns are judged largely by impact. Intentions matter less than how behaviour was experienced. |
| 3. What professional standard was relevant? | Linking to your regulator's standards shows you understand the expectation, not just the complaint. |
| 4. What was my responsibility? | Separates context from excuse. You can acknowledge pressures while owning your part. |
| 5. What have I learned? | Shows that reflection has produced new understanding rather than repeating the event. |
| 6. What will I do differently? | Concrete behaviours are more credible than general commitments. |
| 7. How will I demonstrate the change? | Connects reflection to evidence, which is what turns intention into remediation. |
Creating a professionalism improvement plan
An improvement plan turns reflection into action that others can follow and verify. Use the builder below to draft yours. It is saved only in this browser on your device, nothing is sent to IRR Practice, and you can copy it into a document to share with your supervisor or adviser.
Examples of professionalism development
Depending on the concern, development might focus on one or more of these areas.
The development activity should connect to the actual concern, not be chosen simply because it produces a certificate. Research on remediating professionalism lapses is still limited, and the interventions studied are mostly multifaceted, combining learning with feedback, supervision and practice. That is a useful guide: a single course is rarely the whole answer.
What evidence may demonstrate professional improvement?
For behavioural concerns, the most persuasive evidence usually comes from other people who have seen how you work since the concern arose.
Relevant education
Shows targeted learning on the specific issue.
Reflection
Shows careful consideration of the experience and what you learned.
Feedback
Shows how your behaviour is now experienced by others. Often the strongest evidence in professionalism cases.
Supervision
Shows supported development over time.
Appraisal
Shows ongoing development discussed with a reviewer.
Workplace evidence
Shows learning being applied in real situations.
Audit or review
Shows changes in practice where that is relevant.
Action plan
Shows structured, measurable steps towards improvement.
Feedback and references carry most weight when the author knows about the concern and describes specific behaviour they have seen. For the general principles, see the remediation evidence guide.
Can professionalism training form part of remediation?
Yes. Relevant education or training can form part of a wider remediation or development plan when it addresses an identified learning need. However, completing a course does not, by itself, demonstrate that a professionalism concern has been fully addressed. Behaviour change is shown in practice, over time.
What does meaningful professional improvement look like?
- Relevant
- Addresses the actual concern.
- Personal
- Considers your own role, not only the circumstances.
- Practical
- Changes behaviour or working practice.
- Evidenced
- Supported by appropriate evidence from others.
- Sustained
- Continues over time, not only while under scrutiny.
Common professionalism remediation mistakes
- Treating professionalism as "being nice". It is about specific behaviour and its effect.
- Generic courses. Training chosen without identifying the actual issue.
- An apology instead of reflection. Regret without analysis.
- Blaming colleagues. Context without personal responsibility.
- Focusing on intentions, not impact. How behaviour was experienced matters most.
- "I have learned my lesson". Without explaining what has changed.
- Certificates without application. No evidence that learning changed practice.
- Ignoring feedback. The most useful evidence source left unused.
- Missing the relevant standard. Not linking the concern to your regulator's expectations.
- Assuming one regulator fits all. Expectations and language differ.
Professionalism across UK healthcare regulators
Every regulator sets professionalism expectations in its core standards. Detailed guidance lives on each regulator's page.
Professionalism remediation by profession
IRR Practice offers a professionalism course mapped to each regulator's own standards. Choose your profession.
If professionalism is part of an active investigation
If you are currently involved in a regulatory investigation, hearing or formal fitness to practise process, this page provides general educational information rather than case-specific legal or regulatory advice.
You may wish to obtain independent advice from a regulatory solicitor, your professional defence organisation, your trade union or another appropriate professional adviser, particularly before responding formally.
IRR Practice is an independent education provider. It is not a regulator and does not provide legal representation.
Choose the area you need to address
How IRR Practice can support your professional development
Understand
Learn about the professional standards and expectations that apply to you.
Develop
Complete relevant structured learning based on the need you have identified.
Evidence
Keep a certificate and learning record as part of your development evidence.
IRR Practice provides independent educational resources. It does not determine regulatory outcomes and cannot guarantee that a regulator, employer or panel will accept a particular course or form of evidence.
Related learning
Insight
- What insight means to regulators
- Understanding impact on others
- Expressing insight specifically
Structured CPD · 1.5 CPD ptsReflection and Reflective Practice
- Structured reflection on behaviour
- Moving from description to learning
- Linking reflection to evidence
Structured CPD · 1.5 CPD ptsRemediation
- What remediation involves
- Building an improvement plan
- Presenting evidence of change
Structured CPD · 1.5 CPD ptsProfessionalism for Healthcare Professionals
- Professional behaviour and accountability
- Respect, responsibility and values
- Applying standards under pressure
Structured CPD · 1.5 CPD ptsEffective Communication
- Communicating with patients and colleagues
- Tone, listening and difficult conversations
- Communication under pressure
Structured CPD · 1.5 CPD ptsTeamwork and Collaboration
- Effective professional relationships
- Sharing information and escalating
- Contributing to a safe team culture
Structured CPD · 1.5 CPD ptsDepending on the concern, Professional Boundaries, Dignity and Non-Discrimination or Professional Ethics may also be relevant.
Professionalism remediation: FAQs
What is professionalism in healthcare?
Professionalism is the set of behaviours, attitudes and responsibilities that allow patients, colleagues and the public to trust a registered professional, including respectful behaviour, appropriate communication, professional boundaries, accountability, teamwork and working within your competence. Each UK regulator sets out its own expectations.
What is professionalism remediation?
Professionalism remediation is the process of understanding a concern about professional behaviour, identifying the standard and learning need involved, reflecting, developing insight, changing behaviour and demonstrating that change with credible evidence, often including feedback from others.
What can cause a professionalism concern?
Common causes include dismissive or inappropriate communication, disrespectful behaviour, not taking responsibility, poor response to feedback, poor teamwork, blurred professional boundaries and resistance to learning. Whether any of these becomes a formal concern depends on the circumstances.
Is poor professionalism the same as misconduct?
Not necessarily. Professionalism is the everyday standard of behaviour. Misconduct, in the regulatory sense, refers to conduct that falls seriously short of professional standards. Many professionalism concerns are resolved locally and never become misconduct allegations.
Can professionalism concerns affect fitness to practise?
They can, depending on the profession, regulator and circumstances, particularly where behaviour is serious, repeated or affects patient safety. A professionalism concern does not automatically mean impaired fitness to practise or a sanction.
What does insight mean in a professionalism case?
Insight means understanding specifically what happened, your responsibility, how your behaviour affected others, why it fell short of your standards, and what you now do differently. General statements of regret or intention usually show limited insight.
How should I reflect on a professionalism concern?
Work through what happened, how your behaviour affected others, which standard was relevant, your responsibility, what you have learned, what you will do differently and how you will demonstrate the change. Be specific and focus on impact as well as intention.
Can professionalism training form part of remediation?
Yes, where it addresses an identified learning need. It works best combined with reflection, application in practice and feedback from others that shows your behaviour has changed.
Is a professionalism course certificate enough?
Usually not on its own. A certificate shows you completed learning. Decision-makers and employers generally look for evidence that behaviour has changed, often from people who have seen you work since the concern arose.
What evidence can demonstrate professional improvement?
Relevant education, specific reflection, feedback from colleagues and patients, supervision records, appraisal discussion, workplace evidence of applied learning, audit where relevant and a completed improvement plan.
Does professionalism remediation work the same way for every regulator?
No. The principles overlap, but each regulator has its own standards, processes and language. Use the standards published by the regulator responsible for your registration.
Should I obtain professional or legal advice during an investigation?
If you are involved in a regulatory investigation or hearing, it is sensible to seek advice from your defence organisation, union or a regulatory solicitor, particularly before responding formally.
Sources for this guide
This guide draws on published standards and guidance. Naming a regulator does not imply that it endorses IRR Practice or its courses.
Standards change. Always check the current version published by your regulator.
- GMC Good medical practice (2024)In effect from 30 January 2024
- NMC The Code; FtP library, Insight and strengthened practice (FTP-16)FTP-16b updated 25 March 2026
- HCPC Standards of conduct, performance and ethicsCurrent published version
- Research Brennan N et al, Remediating professionalism lapses in medical students and doctors: a systematic reviewMedical Education (2020)
More from the IRR Practice blog
Practical articles on fitness to practise, insight, reflection, remediation and each UK regulator.
Dr Anthony Whitfield
Writes for IRR Practice on professional standards, fitness to practise, insight, reflection and remediation for UK healthcare professionals.
Last reviewed: September 2026