So how can we frame our identity?

A weakness of the paramedic profession is the lack of reflective literature examining our role and place in society. This is in marked contrast to other health professions that have developed distinct bodies of professional knowledge and theory to help guide and support their members (Kinsella, 2009).

Professional recognition of paramedics through registration, improving educational standards and integration into the health system is contributing toward the formation of a professional identity. Paramedics are in the early stages of developing new professional roles and forming a professional identity that is broader and more sophisticated than traditional models (Woollard, 2006). Discussion has been characterized by an absence of a deeper philosophical concern regarding the essence of paramedic practice. One reason for this is that we lack a framework in which to conduct a dialogue.

While the functionalist approach to determining whether an occupational group is a profession is useful (Makely, 2005), the essence of what a professional group is does not emerge from this ‘tick box’ approach (Drazin, 1990). An alternative is to see professional practice in terms of ‘doing, knowing, being and becoming’ (Ewing and Smith, 2001). Using this theoretical framework can help gather our thoughts and develop our own professional philosophy. If we can understand what we do, develop a robust knowledge base, be true to ourselves and have a sense of the future, we can truly become a profession in our own right.