Professionalization and its discontents

The sociology of professions has generally considered professionalization as a desirable outcome for occupational groups. This case study of professionalization in the UK National Health Service, based on an analysis of documents, presents a challenge to that view. For many groups, the state is now so comprehensively dominant in the process of professionalization that it can effectively dictate professional status on its own terms. Many of the advantages that accrued to professions that developed historically will not be available to groups that professionalize under this new regime. Though elite groups within the profession studied (Operating Department Practice) were strongly in favour of professionalization, throughout the process there were also dissenting voices. This case study will show how professionalization, despite being described as the 'Holy Grail' by those in favour of it, turned out to be, at best, a mixed blessing. While medicine may still be able to negotiate with the state for other groups, professionalization can in the future be equated with regulation.