At odds: How intraprofessional conflict and stratification has stalled the Ontario paramedic professionalization project

Abstract

Historically, self-regulation has provided some professions with power and market control. Currently, however, governments have scrutinized this approach, and priorities have shifted toward other mandates. This study examines the case of paramedics in Ontario, Canada, where self-regulation is still the dominant regulatory model for the healthcare professions but not for paramedics. Instead, paramedics in Ontario are co-regulated by government and physician-directed groups, with paramedics subordinate to both. This paper, which draws on interviews with paramedic industry leaders analyzed through the lens of institutional work, examines perspectives on the relevance of self-regulation to the paramedic professionalization project. Participants had varying views on the importance of self-regulation in obtaining professional status, with some rejecting its role in professionalization and others embracing regulatory reform. Because paramedics disagree on what being a profession means, the collective professionalization project has stalled. This research has implications for understanding the impact of intraprofessional relationships and conflict on professionalization projects.

Untangling the web: The need for theory, theoretical frameworks, and conceptual frameworks in paramedic research

“…Madison -In my research on paramedic professionalization in Ontario, Canada, 7,8 I argue that a deeper understanding of professional change can occur when research is situated within a particular theory, or a theoretical framework, from the sociology of professions literature. Although there are some notable examples of research on paramedic professionalization that have utilized explicit theoretical frameworks, [9][10][11] a significant number of studies in this area lack clear theoretical underpinnings.…”

Emerging Concepts in the Paramedicine Literature to Inform the Revision of a Pan-Canadian Competency Framework for Paramedics: A Restricted Review

“…The NOSP, while developed for the Canadian context, represents one of several ongoing international efforts to better understand and more accurately reflect contemporary paramedicine and paramedic practice [5][6][7][8]. We continue to experience a disconnect between paramedic practice and activities such as education, warranting a re-examination.…”

Emerging Concepts in the Paramedicine Literature to Inform the Revision of a pan-Canadian Competency Framework for Paramedics: A Restricted Review

“…The NOSP represents part of an ongoing global effort to better understand and more accurately reflect contemporary paramedicine and paramedic practice [5][6][7][8]. We continue to experience a disconnect between paramedic practice and activities such as education, warranting a re-examination.…”