Lower-class origin professionals in Canadian health and social service professions: “A different level of understanding”

Original research
by
Beagan, Brenda L. et al

Release Date

2022

Geography

Canada

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

No

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

No

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

This paper draws on notions of material, social and cultural capital, along with habitus, to examine the experiences of professionals with lower-class backgrounds, in educational programs and in their professions

Findings/Key points

Rather than helping lower-class entrants adapt to the professions, it may be more beneficial to alter normative professional cultures to better suit these practitioners.

Design/methods

Interviews with 27 professionals across Canada in medicine, nursing, social work and occupational therapy.

Keywords

Equity
Social services
Barriers and enablers
Workplace