Bourdieu’s field theory applied to the story of the UK radiography profession: A discussion paper

McKnight, K Louise (2022) Bourdieu’s field theory applied to the story of the UK radiography profession: A discussion paper. Radiography, 29 (1). pp. 90-94. ISSN 1078-8174

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Abstract

Objectives
There are many suggestions offered within the literature to decide if a job type is a profession, some using tick box type trait and characteristics analyses to compare the actions and qualities of individuals to a predefined list. However, there is no specific way to resolve what makes or defines a profession. Writers in many disciplines, including radiography, have used these different models, sometimes with conflicting results. This paper explores the use of Bourdieu’s replacement of the concept of profession with that of a ‘field’, meaning a network of occupants with common attributes, in this case radiographers, in an attempt to resolve this issue.

Findings
In the UK, radiography practitioners and professional bodies generally use the term profession to describe radiography, and this paper explores a defence of the term for radiography. Using Bourdieu’s field theory not only helps define a profession, but also explains the difficulties at the boundaries of professions, and the work needed to protect a profession as a credible entity.

Conclusion
This paper supports the argument that radiography is a profession when using Bourdieu’s field theory. Radiography continues to work to maintain its status by increasing its symbolic capital by increasing the research output and evidence base of the profession and through role extension.

Implications for practice
Radiographers can perhaps be assured that radiography is a profession when using Bourdieu’s field theory. This paper shows how theoretical frameworks and concepts from outside radiography can be used to support new ways of thinking within the profession.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.1016/j.radi.2022.10.002
Dates:	Date Event 8 October 2022 Accepted 28 October 2022 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Borders; Boundary-work; Capital; Habitus; Role-extension
Subjects:	CAH02 - subjects allied to medicine > CAH02-06 - allied health > CAH02-06-01 - health sciences (non-specific)
Divisions:	Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences > College of Health and Care Professions
Depositing User:	Louise Mcknight
Date Deposited:	10 Nov 2022 17:31
Last Modified:	28 Oct 2023 03:00
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/13710

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