Though rarely in the spotlight, professional regulatory boards determine much of the who, what, why, and how of occupational licensure in action. But if boards are the watchers of membership within their own professions, it is worth asking, who is watching the watchers? As times change, is enough consideration given to how regulatory boards operate, who constitutes them, what training they receive, whether they serve the public effectively, and how they ought to transform for the future?
These questions are top of mind for Denis Murphy, Chief Administrative Officer at the Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE), who is also a council member at Ireland’s health regulator, CORU, and a long-serving board member, researcher, and educator focused on governance and regulation.
With a background in business and management research methodologies, Murphy has spent the past decade studying and working around quality and safety in health care management. His research interests include sociocultural theory, qualitative methods, and board governance.
In this one-hour live conversation with Ascend Magazine Editor-in-Chief Paul Leavoy, Murphy discusses the unconventional path that led him to the world of regulation as well as the ins and outs of regulatory board governance. More specifically, their discussion touches on topics including:
- How regulatory boards work and what they do, from common threads to marked differences.
- The need for realistic and practical board member training with experienced individuals who understand the language of regulation.
- The human side of professional regulation and whether compassion and kindness can shape more favorable outcomes.
- The importance of research in shaping regulatory board practices.
- What’s needed to improve and better equip the regulatory boards of the future, and more.
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