Healthcare Professionals: The Same but Different
The BMJ reported that there were 65.1 million healthcare professionals globally in 2020. This work force is made up of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, physiotherapists and many more. A variety of professions, with different specialisms and focus points, united by one aim – helping people to improve or maintain their health safely. With a growing population and people living longer, there is an increased demand for healthcare services and therefore, it is no surprise that the size of this workforce is expected to jump to 84 million by 2030.
When asked to name 5 healthcare professions from memory, most people would lean towards the more well-known professions such as those listed above and maybe mention veterinarians, midwives and dentists. Whilst each of these professions are important and absolutely deserve their flowers, it is important to remember that the healthcare network, which some may argue is the backbone of society, is made up of more than those we hear about often. This includes some atypical healthcare professions and some allied health careers. The NHS officially recognises 14 allied health professions, some of which include: operating department practitioners, dietitians, radiographers, speech and language therapists and even art therapists. Just like the healthcare professions that are often talked about, these careers are driven by the desire to make a difference to people’s lives by helping to care for them and helping improve their quality of life.
The individual reasons for pursuing a healthcare career differ. Some say that is a vocation and that they were called to follow this path. Others would say that the idea of having a lucrative career with good job prospects was attractive to them. Some would say that they went ‘wherever the wind took them’ to land in their current roles. Regardless of what the reason is, all healthcare professionals work to improve the lives of others through the work that they do. Landing a role in any healthcare career is a huge accomplishment and with the busyness and demands of these careers, it is easy for healthcare professionals to forget how far they have come and the steps they had to take to get to where they are today. All the hard work, hundreds of hours spent studying, placements and portfolios completed, sacrifices made and blood, sweat and tears (literally) were all part of the journey. Especially for those who arrived in this sector by pursuing unconventional routes. Although the covid period helped to shed some light on the demands placed upon healthcare workers, those who work outside of the healthcare sector may never know the true extent of how hard these professionals work. They may never appreciate them enough, or truly understand what they do, but the work they do is something that they themselves should never forget.
Ultimately, a career in healthcare is very rewarding. Making a difference to people’s lives makes all of the sacrifices worth it. Whether the change is on a smaller scale or a larger scale, it is still important and valued. There are good days and bad days in this sector but the reminder that healthcare professionals are improving lives is enough to help them show up each day. Being part of a community with like-minded individuals, like House of Medics, can help to improve career trajectory by providing the right tools to soar in this industry. The organisation’s ethos is a reminder that, “our generation is full of potential.” This is something that should be capitalised on in order to ensure that the next generation of healthcare professionals is the best that there has ever been, and one that can leave a legacy to be proud of.
The healthcare network consists of a variety of professions, with different specialisms and focus points, united by one aim – helping people to improve or maintain their health safely. Healthcare professionals - the same but different.
By: Kimberly Amon-Lamptey