Achieving professional status: Australian podiatrists' perceptions

British Journal of Podiatry

In consideration of concerns expressed over the relative status of podiatrists in the UK, a focus group interview was conducted with UK-based podiatrists to explore podiatrists' perceptions of their own status. Thematic analysis of the data suggested factors affecting the status of podiatrists and the effects of perceptions of low status in this professional group. While podiatrists do have problems with status in the eyes of other professionals, patients and self alike, there are actions that podiatrists can take to improve this situation. Such actions may include campaigns to raise awareness of the role and work of podiatrists, with emphasis on the change of name from chiropody. It is suggested that the study of the relative status of podiatrists in other countries may improve the understanding of podiatric status further, and inform any subsequent strategies directed at improving this situation.

BMC Health Services Research, 2022

Background Interprofessional care is paramount in contemporary healthcare practice. How different professions interact, and the characteristics of those practitioners who practice in an interprofessional way are rarely described in the literature. The aim of the current work was to identify the demographic, practice and clinical management characteristics of Australian osteopaths who report referring to podiatrists. Methods The study was a secondary analysis of data from the Osteopathy Research and Innovation Network (ORION). Inferential statistics were generated to identify statistically significant demographic, practice and clinical management characteristics associated with referrals to podiatrists by Australian osteopaths. Results Nine-hundred and ninety-two Australian osteopaths responded to the questionnaire. Sending referrals to a podiatrist was reported by 651 participants (65.6%). Female Australian osteopaths were less likely to report referring to podiatrists compared to m...

Medical education, 2009

CONTEXT Professionalism is a hot topic in medical education, yet there is debate about what professionalism actually is. The reason is that medical educators primarily frame professionalism as a list of characteristics or behaviours. However, many sociologists of the professions favour more explanatory theories that incorporate political, economic and social dimensions into understanding of the nature and function of professionalism.

2021

Background Interprofessional care is paramount in contemporary healthcare practice. How different professions interact, and the characteristics of those practitioners who practice in an interprofessional way are rarely described in the literature. The aim of the current work was to identify the demographic, practice and clinical management characteristics of Australian osteopaths who report referring to, and receiving referrals from, podiatrists Methods The study was a secondary analysis of data from the Osteopathy Research and Innovation Network (ORION). Inferential statistics were generated to identify statistically significant demographic, practice and clinical management characteristics associated with referrals. Significant characteristics were then entered into a backward logistic regression model. Results Nine-hundred and ninety-two Australian osteopaths responded to the questionnaire. Sending referrals to a podiatrist was reported by 651 participants (65.6%) and receiving re...

Sociology of Health & Illness, 1997

Over the past two to three decades there has been vigorous debate in the sociological literature as well as in popular forums concerning the changing social position and status of the medical profession and the extent to which consumerism has entered the doctor-patient relationship. Few qualitative sociological inquiries, however, have directly sought the views of medical practitioners themselves on these issues. To address this hiatus, this article discusses the findings from an empirical study using semi-structured indepth interviews with 20 doctors living and working in Sydney about their views on the contemporary status ofthe medical profession and their experiences of medical practice. Three major aspects are discussed: the extent to which the social position of doctors has changed, the impact of consumerism on medical practice and the qualities ofa 'good' doctor. The implications of these data for theorising the nature of contemporary medical practice, power and professional status is explored, with particular reference to the insights offered by Foucauldian theory.

European Journal of Social Sciences Education and Research

This study is in line with the analyses of university and working career in their interaction in relation with conditioning factors, carried out by Dr. Aparicio for the past two decades with a variety of populations.t. The aim was to analyze the relation between working conditions and future working perspectives through social representations. There are three core variables: Professional Mobility, Professional Status and perspectives regarding the future of their careers at the personal development level and within the organizations, considering, on the one hand, insufficient Professionalization and the increasing market demands; and on the other the impact structural limits have on the identity level. The methodology used was quanti-qualitative (semi-structured questionnaires, interviews, and hierarchical evocations, out of which we will analyze one node: Labor Market). The population consisted of doctors (2005-2012) from the National University of Cuyo, in Argentina and the CNAM (...

Background Non-medical prescribing is a valuable strategy to enable equitable access to medications in the context of the increasing demands on health services globally. Australian podiatrists have been able to seek endorsement for scheduled medicines (ESM) for over a decade. This project investigates the perceptions and habits of these podiatrists in meeting the extra CPD requirements associated with their ESM status. Methods Australian ESM podiatrists completed an anonymous, online survey capturing demographics; CPD engagement; and self-reflections of CPD activities. Results Twenty percent (n = 33) of all Australian ESM registered podiatrists (N = 167) responded to the survey (18 female; mean ESM status 5 years, range 0–28 years). For the previous registration period, 88% (n = 29) completed the mandatory CPD hours, with 65% (n = 20) reporting they had not completed CPD learning goals prior, only retrospectively to this period. Over 80% identified their last ESM CPD activity as acc...

Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 2013

While doctors generally enjoy considerable status, some believe that this is increasingly threatened by consumerism, managerialism, and competition from other health professions. Research into doctors' perceptions of the changes occurring in medicine has provided some insights into how they perceive and respond to these changes but has generally failed to distinguish clearly between concerns about "status," related to the entitlements associated with one's position in a social hierarchy, and concerns about "respect," related to being held in high regard for one's moral qualities. In this article we explore doctors' perceptions of the degree to which they are respected and their explanations for, and responses to, instances of perceived lack of respect. We conclude that doctors' concerns about loss of respect need to be clearly distinguished from concerns about loss of status and that medical students need to be prepared for a changing social field in which others' respect cannot be taken for granted.

2001