Attitudinal classification of health manpower in Colombia: a research note on urban/rural differences in occupational prestige

Type Journal Article - Social Science & Medicine. Part A: Medical Psychology & Medical Sociology
Title Attitudinal classification of health manpower in Colombia: a research note on urban/rural differences in occupational prestige
Author(s)
Volume 13
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 1979
Page numbers 235-240
URL http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/441758
Abstract
The relative prestige positions of selected health-related occupations in three (urban, semi-rural, rural) populations in Colombia are presented. Survey instruments applied to randomly selected populations provide the empirical base for this study. These positions are found to be functions of several different attitudinal dimensions. The general ranking of the occupational groups was found to be consistent with other studies on occupational prestige, with the physician falling in the highest tercile in all dimensions, setting the standard for health occupational prestige. Included in the analysis is the healer, who consistently scored in the lowest tercile in all of the evaluative dimensions. Variations in ranking appeared to coincide with actual conditions and functions in the health sector. Results indicate the public's ability to evaluate details of prestige and hierarchy within the health system.

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