Good practice and evidence-based innovations will be systematically disseminated and implemented. The operational dimension To embed clinical governance in routine medical practice, doctors need appropriate attitudes, knowledge and skills. Patients and doctors in the future To consider what sort of doctor the NHS should develop for the next Millennium we must look at the patient of the future since we are in the business of meeting their health needs. Patients will be knowledgeable because they are increasingly better educated and have more access to the growing tide of information available through the media, the Internet and other sources. As a consequence they will have high expectations, and want much more of a partnership with doctors and other health professionals involved in their care.
Patients are already more willing to complain.
Just as the information available to patients grows, so the knowledge and potential skills for doctors to acquire is expanding. Doctors of the future will be lifelong learners and evidence-based practitioners. Every doctor will need to be clinically competent and perform consistently well. Whilst practising ethically and protecting patients from harm, future practitioners will need to contribute to care as effective team players. They will need to be committed to teaching and training, clinical audit and research, and maintain continuing professional development with regular revalidation.