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Gender Issues and Partner Preferences Among a Sample of Emergency Medical Technicians

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Sheryl Gonsoulin  and
C. Eddie Palmer
Sheryl Gonsoulin*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Health Science, University of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette, Louisiana
C. Eddie Palmer
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette, Louisiana
*
The University of Southwestern Louisiana, College of Nursing, Department of Emergency Health Science, PO Box 42732, Lafayette, LA 70504-2732USA
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Abstract

Introduction:

From its beginnings, the provision of emergency medical services in the United States has been a male-dominated occupation. The objective of this exploratory study was to determine if and how such issues might influence partner preferences of male and female emergency medical technicians (EMTs).

Methods:

Initially, unstructured interviews were conducted with 10 EMS workers enrolled in a paramedic training program in order to see whether and how such issue might affect partner preferences. From the data obtained during these interviews, a questionairre was developed and distributed to participants in an annual meeting of Louisiana Association of Nationally Registered EMTs. Participation was voluntary and uncompensated.

Results:

A total of 49 EMTs (22 women, 27 men) completed the questionairre. The major gender-related issues could be class fied into three dimensions: 1) physical strength; 2) assumption of authoritative roles; and 3) structural (organizational) preparedness to implement gender-friendly working environments. In general, the gender of a partner now “makes no difference”.

Conclusion:

Overall, the EMS work worlds are reflective of the larger society of which they are a part. Now is the time for EMS systems to examine the gendered nature of their organization and of the issues of gendered expectations prevalent in EMS work. Future research should document the changes now due in the field of emergency medical services.

Keywords

ambulance crewsdiscriminationemergency medical servicesemergency medical techniciansfire servicegender issuesparamedicspartner preferencespolice
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , March 1998 , pp. 34 - 40
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 1998

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