ARE YOU A QUALIFICATION SNOB?
Here at the Better Clinician Project we are determined not to have any egos or elitism, instead we want to create an open, honest, friendly, and down to earth community of healthcare professionals who are not up their own arses and full of academic or qualification snobbery, which unfortunately in our experience is rife in healthcare.
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I was reminded how common academic and qualification snobbery is when I attended a large scientific conference recently. The conference was great and I learnt a lot, but it was tarnished by a few conversations I had with some of the very smart and immensely qualified delegates who suddenly appeared to think my IQ level dropped through the floor when they realised I was ‘just’ a clinical physio, who didn’t have a PhD and wasn’t widely published.
Am I simple?
I swear to god that one guy even started to speak a little slower and louder as if he suddenly thought I was hard of hearing when I told him I didn't even have a MSc let alone a PhD, that was until he made his excuses and left to talk to someone more worthy of his intellect. This elitist, egotistical, and downright prejudiced attitude in physiotherapy and healthcare in general really pisses me off… and I wish I could say it’s not common, but in my experience it is!
Qualification snobbery is the pompous and arrogant belief that some have that qualifications are the only measure of an individuals intelligence, skill, knowledge, and worth. A qualification snob believes that if you have little or no formal qualifications you are somehow less intelligent, less relevant, and less worthy.
I am the first to admit that I am not the sharpest tool in the toolbox and definitely not an academic, nor will I ever be! I love being a clinician despite its challenges and I will never give it up. When it comes to formal academia I only just ‘survived’ my physio Bachelor’s degree and found the whole experience archaic, restrictive, and a minefield of egos and politics that makes most governments look like a kindergarten.
For example, although critical thinking was taught a little at my university, it wasn’t really encouraged or allowed. Students were often frowned upon and labelled as trouble makers if they asked too many awkward questions, or dared discuss any research or evidence that challenged what was being taught.
I remember very clearly being chastised in one of my university practicals by a tutor when I questioned the accuracy and reliability of some pelvic motion palpation techniques being taught. I was firmly told that I should just do what I was told and that if I carried on asking questions I would be asked to leave the room!
This was a fairly common theme throughout most of my under-graduate training, the more I questioned the relevance and reliability of what I was being taught, the more trouble I seem to get into, and the more I got labelled as an arrogant trouble maker.
It's these experiences that have meant I have never had a strong desire or inclination to go back into formal education, choosing instead to focus and direct my post grad learning myself, reading and studying as much information that I can get my hands on, which is easier said than done.
Now you may be thinking that my decision not to go back into education is foolish, based on a few bad experiences in one university, with a few bad tutors back in the bad old days. But these experiences as well as others I have had with academics over the years, have left a rather ‘bad taste’ in my mouth for formal academia and now with my other work and life commitments, any thoughts of returning are highly unlikely.
No qualifications, no career?
However, there are more and more physios working towards MSc’s and PhD’s and I think this is great for the profession, and I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for anyone who has or wants to continue along the academic path and get these qualifications!
But this path isn’t for everyone, it certainly isn’t for me, and luckily it hasn’t had any detrimental effect on my career. But I do seem to be an exception, a one off, an anomaly as it seems nowadays the only way to progress your career as a physiotherapist is to get formal post-graduation qualifications.
As a consequence I see more and more physios undertaking formal post-graduate MSc, diplomas, or other qualifications, not because they really want to, but because they feel they have to.
Many physios are collecting qualifications rather than collecting knowledge and experience.
It is admirable that many clinicians are keen to progress their careers, and I don’t blame anyone for wanting to do this, but career progression should not only be based on attaining formal academic qualifications.
Qualifications are not the only way to demonstrate knowledge, and knowledge does NOT only come from formal education. In fact, I think too much formal education can limit an individuals critical thinking and common sense, teaching individuals to only learn, rehearse, and recite what others have said and told you to learn, like mindless drones.
Formal qualifications tend to demonstrate how good someone is at writing essays and sitting exams, what they don’t tend to demonstrate is how good someone is at problem-solving, being punctual, trustworthy, and most importantly how they are with people and patients. It is these skills that seem to get overlooked by employers who only look for qualifications.
More than a PhD
Now I am not suggesting for one minute that we go back to the old day’s of career progression based on favouritism, or number of years in service. What I am suggesting is that jobs and posts should not only be limited to those with formal post-grad qualifications, and be based on skills, attributes, experience, and most importantly results.
But yet again I find healthcare just doesn't care that much about results or outcomes. The number of times I have seen a hardworking dedicated, talented clinician who gets great results with their patients get overlooked for a not so dedicated, talented or successful clinician who has got a few more qualification is just ridiculous.
Many employers both in the private and public sectors have instigated a culture of formal qualification elitism by insisting nearly all jobs beyond basic grades have, or are ‘working towards’ an MSc, even for roles that clearly don’t warrant or need them. Many managers and team leaders limit themselves by screening job applications based on academic qualifications before other things and this is adversely affecting the profession in my opinion.
Of course, the work and research done in MSc 'sand PhD's are important for our profession, but it should also be remembered that there are many physios out there who are involved in furthering the profession and doing research in their own time, using their own money, and who are not seeking any formal qualifications. These are the real heroes of our profession, these are the candidate’s employers and academics are ignoring with their qualification snobbery.
So in summary qualifications can be helpful and important as a physio, but so can a lot of other things. Just because someone doesn’t have post-grad qualifications and a gazillion letters behind their name doesn’t mean they know less, do less, or are worthless. In fact, I’d argue they may be more suitable and more capable than many of the academic qualification snobs!
As always thanks for reading
Adam
