2nd Asia-Pacific Educational Integrity Conference, held University of Newcastle, Australia

2nd Asia-Pacific Educational Integrity Conference

Abstract

Educational integrity and the professional development and education of health workers involved in stroke care

Pamela Morrison - Hunter Stroke Service, Hunter New England Area Health Service

Professional development and education for health professionals working in stroke care is important in maintaining awareness and implementation of best practice in patient care and in developing a confident, competent and committed workforce. Implementing ongoing interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary professional education requires a commitment to the importance of continuing education for health professionals and the allocation of adequate resources. Integrating and maintaining the principles of educational integrity in such professional development is challenging, yet relevant, to the strong focus in health on patient centred care. The values of equity and responsibility are particularly significant in the health professional development sphere. Within the Hunter Stroke Service (HSS) there is an emphasis on collaboration and innovation in professional development education. There is evidence within the HSS professional development program of a commitment to the values of equity and responsibility to the staff it is responsible for and the patients they care for. However current educational initiatives need to be maintained and further developed to ensure that educational integrity becomes a key component and focus of all future professional development. By ensuring educational integrity is at the heart of HSS educational programs those staff responsible for implementing education will be encouraged and empowered to translate values into action. Such empowerment will facilitate a well educated workforce, confident in caring for patients in a manner consistent with current evidence based practice and competent in their commitment to the importance of ongoing professional development in stroke care.

Keywords: best practice, educational integrity, equity, health professionals, Hunter Stroke Service, patient centred care, professional development, responsibility, stroke care, values