Health personnel: perceived differences in professional relationships and work role

This study questions the validity of the assumption that the workplace culture and experiences of health personnel are largely similar. The study compares nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech therapists concerning their perceptions of professional issues within their own profession, and their perceptions of professional issues within the medical profession. Respondents completed a questionnaire containing 55 items referring to their own profession, and 55 items referring to the medical profession. Six scales were derived from the large survey instrument addressing issues regarding status/cohesiveness of the profession, professional relationships, and the role of the patient in health delivery in the respondent's profession, and in the medical profession. Nurses emerged as different to other health personnel on most dimensions. Few differences emerged among allied health professionals. Physiotherapists were more positive than occupational therapists about the status/cohesiveness of their profession, and regarded the contributions of the patient to health delivery as less important. Speech therapists did not differ significantly from occupational therapists on any dimension.