First Responder Identity and Role Dissonance: When the Job You Think You Should Be Doing is Not the Job You Actually Have
Tracks
Ballroom 1 and Virtual via OnAIR
Tuesday, March 5, 2024 |
1:30 PM - 1:50 PM |
Ballroom 1 |
Overview
Dr Buck Reed, Charles Sturt University
Speaker
Dr Buck Reed
Lecturer in Paramedicine
Charles Sturt University
First Responder Identity and Role Dissonance: When the Job You Think You Should Be Doing is Not the Job You Actually Have
Abstract
Professional identity is a complex construct involving elements of personal, occupational and organisation identity. Professional identity also dictates the roles that professionals play and the activities they undertake. Role Identity Theory posits that these roles are interlinked with the role activities and likewise, activities and experiences underpin the perception of the role.
However, first responders regularly find that the actual activities they undertake are different from the expected activities that they or the community believe they should be undertaking. This is known as “Role Dissonance”. Role dissonance plays a part in mental health by creating an existential threat to the individual as they question the discontinuity between perceived and actual activities. This can accelerate burnout, compassion fatigue, poor job satisfaction and other negative perceptions and feelings. Likewise, role dissonance can create feelings of imposter syndrome and inadequacy especially when confronted by public perceptions of the role.
Role dissonance can be moderated through a range of approaches. The primary approach is to clearly support new entrants to the profession to fully understand the nature of the role and learn to value the many facets of the role. Training and induction should recognise the real skills and activities of the role. Likewise, building realistic and healthy frameworks for job satisfaction will help individuals feel value in roles. Finally, helping the community fully understand the professional role can be of value. Roles will change over time through natural evolution and to address community need, and as a result, building the capability to navigate changes in role activity and activity over time will also help individuals moderate the impact of role dissonance.
However, first responders regularly find that the actual activities they undertake are different from the expected activities that they or the community believe they should be undertaking. This is known as “Role Dissonance”. Role dissonance plays a part in mental health by creating an existential threat to the individual as they question the discontinuity between perceived and actual activities. This can accelerate burnout, compassion fatigue, poor job satisfaction and other negative perceptions and feelings. Likewise, role dissonance can create feelings of imposter syndrome and inadequacy especially when confronted by public perceptions of the role.
Role dissonance can be moderated through a range of approaches. The primary approach is to clearly support new entrants to the profession to fully understand the nature of the role and learn to value the many facets of the role. Training and induction should recognise the real skills and activities of the role. Likewise, building realistic and healthy frameworks for job satisfaction will help individuals feel value in roles. Finally, helping the community fully understand the professional role can be of value. Roles will change over time through natural evolution and to address community need, and as a result, building the capability to navigate changes in role activity and activity over time will also help individuals moderate the impact of role dissonance.
Biography
Dr. Buck Reed is Lecturer in Paramedicine at Charles Sturt University; Buck is a Registered Paramedic and practices clinically in the state of New South Wales. Buck is a Churchill Fellow and was the first paramedic graduate of the NSW Health Rural Research Capacity Building Program. Buck holds a PhD from the University of Wollongong and a Master of International Health Management from UNE. Buck has been involved in designing wellbeing programs around paramedicine students and has widely presented on paramedic student resilience and wellness. Buck is heavily involved in the Australian paramedicine community as an academic, researcher and a member of the Australian College of Paramedicine Future of Paramedicine Working Group.
Host
Mel Stewart
Director
AST Management
Moderator
Shinade Hartman
AST Management
Justine White
Event Manager
AST Management
Session Chair
Tony O'Day AFSM
Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Interoperability
Fire Rescue Victoria
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