Anita Majchrowska1, Jakub Pawlikowski1,2, Mariusz Jojczuk3, Adam Nogalski3, Renata Bogusz1, Luiza Nowakowska1, Michał Wiechetek4. 1. Department of Humanities and Social Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 7 Chodźki Str., 20-093 Lublin, Poland. 2. Medical Faculty, University of Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski in Warsaw, 5 Dewajtis Str., 01-815 Warsaw, Poland. 3. Department of Trauma Surgery and Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 11 Staszica Str., 20-081 Lublin, Poland. 4. Faculty of Psychology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, 14 Racławickie Av., 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is a lack of research on social image, prestige, and the position of the paramedic profession in the social structure. The main objective of the study was to determine the place of the paramedic profession in the hierarchy of prestige of professions as viewed by the public. In operationalizing the term 'prestige', we deemed the word 'respect' to best fit the sense of the subjective evaluation of prestige with regard to a profession. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data comes from cross-sectional survey-based research. The research was carried out on a group of 600 people over 18 years of age. The sample was of a random nature, and the selection of respondents was calculated on the basis of them being representative of the Polish population. RESULTS: The median of respect declared for the paramedic profession, on a scale of 1 to 5, was 4.49, which placed the profession in fourth place in the ranking. The assessment of respect for paramedics among other medical professions placed them in third place, directly after doctors and midwifes. CONCLUSIONS: The profession of paramedic is characterized by high social prestige, locating it at the forefront of the medical profession and other examined professions, but its social position, expressed by objective measures (earnings, structural possibilities, social power), is significantly lower.
BACKGROUND: There is a lack of research on social image, prestige, and the position of the paramedic profession in the social structure. The main objective of the study was to determine the place of the paramedic profession in the hierarchy of prestige of professions as viewed by the public. In operationalizing the term 'prestige', we deemed the word 'respect' to best fit the sense of the subjective evaluation of prestige with regard to a profession. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data comes from cross-sectional survey-based research. The research was carried out on a group of 600 people over 18 years of age. The sample was of a random nature, and the selection of respondents was calculated on the basis of them being representative of the Polish population. RESULTS: The median of respect declared for the paramedic profession, on a scale of 1 to 5, was 4.49, which placed the profession in fourth place in the ranking. The assessment of respect for paramedics among other medical professions placed them in third place, directly after doctors and midwifes. CONCLUSIONS: The profession of paramedic is characterized by high social prestige, locating it at the forefront of the medical profession and other examined professions, but its social position, expressed by objective measures (earnings, structural possibilities, social power), is significantly lower.
Entities:
Keywords:
paramedics; respect for profession; social prestige
Authors: Claus D Hansen; Kurt Rasmussen; Morten Kyed; Kent Jacob Nielsen; Johan Hviid Andersen Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2012-07-23 Impact factor: 3.295
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