This study examines the relationship between orthopaedic and podiatric surgeons which
has formed since the NHS reforms of the 1990s facilitated the establishment of podiatric
surgery as a mainstream health-care service. Relations between these two disciplines are
considered against the traditional background of dominance of health-care by the
medical profession. The study seeks to understand the resistance shown towards
podiatric surgery by orthopaedic surgeons and to determine if there is a willingness
among orthopaedic and podiatric surgeons, respectively, to develop a more satisfactory
working relationship.
Two methods of data collection were employed to gather information on the
views of orthopaedic surgeons on podiatric surgery. Firstly, questionnaires were sent to
all Fellows of the British Orthopaedic Association with the intention to collect a breadth
of data. In this way a total population was contacted by means of the survey. Secondly,
personal interviews were undertaken with fifty orthopaedic surgeons who indicated a
willingness to take part in their questionnaire responses. These interviews were
designed to add richness and depth to the data gathered from the questionnaires. All
podiatric surgeons in the UK were also sent questionnaires in order to investigate their
professional experiences with, and their attitudes towards, orthopaedic surgeons. Once
again, a total population was surveyed.
A range of attitudes towards podiatric surgery was found among orthopaedic
surgeons but significant opposition was identified. Reasons for this opposition are
multi-factorial and complex. Overall, there appears to be an imperative to maintain
control and, therefore, medical dominance over a competing occupation. For some
orthopaedic surgeons, this control is perceived as necessary if the prestige and status of
orthopaedic surgeons are to be protected. For others, collaboration with podiatric
surgeons is a possibility although many orthopaedic surgeons have reservations about a
formal union which often result from a lack of understanding about many aspects of
podiatric surgery.
Podiatric surgeons are generally in favour of developing closer links with
orthopaedic surgeons, though they have concerns about a possible loss of autonomy
arising from any collaboration. The development of a closer working relationship
between orthopaedic and podiatric surgeons could have benefits for health-care but it
seems likely that this may only occur on a gradual basis and through negotiations
conducted at local levels.
Date of Award | 2008 |
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Original language | English |
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Awarding Institution | |
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The resistance of an established profession towards an emergent occupation
Goslin, R. W. (Author). 2008
Student thesis: PhD