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.
Along with other health professionals, paramedic practice is fundamentally about doing things with and for other people within a purposeful and informed framework. ‘Doing’ is synonymous with the concept of occupation and the one we most readily associate with our own roles (Willcock, 1999). Even though this concept is easy to assimilate, it provides an incomplete picture of what an occupation is about beyond competencies and skills. These limitations invite us to explore the concept of ‘knowing’. This has particular relevance as we progress toward professional recognition when much of what we do lacks strong evidence.
To discover the nature of our professional identity, we need to move beyond the ‘doing’ processes and even ‘knowing’. We need to consider the notion of ‘being’ that is embedded in our practice of ‘doing’, and through this we ‘become’ who we are as paramedics. Through this process of thinking and reflecting we can be true to ourselves, to our essence and to what is distinctive about us and what we bring to our relationships with others (Willcock, 1999).
The notion of ‘becoming’ offers potential and growth, of transformation and self-actualization. It explains how these processes help us to take our place in the world. As a profession, the onus is on us to have a view on issues and to take a stand consistent with our professional standards and beliefs. For paramedics, the challenge is to take these opportunities for learning, and in ‘doing’ and reflecting as the means of ‘becoming’ professionals, actively participate in our own journey toward professionalism.