OCCUPATIONAL PRESTIGE DIFFERENCES WITHIN MEDICAL AND ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS: PERCEPTIONS OF STRATIFICATION BY AMERICAN PODIATRISTS

This study examines perceptions of podiatrists concerning occupational prestige rewards of physicians (i.e., orthopedists, family physicians and psychiatrists) and limited-medical and allied health professionals (i.e., dentists, osteopaths, optometrists, chiropractors and pharmacists). Building on previous work in stratification we test elements of the functional theory of stratification and Blau's (1992) Integrated Exchange theory. Questionnaires regarding occupational prestige were sent to all podiatrists practicing in the Chicago Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area. A response rate of 60 percent resulted in 168 cases for this study. Assessments about the outcomes for physicians and marginal and allied health professionals provide some support for both perspectives. In particular, the results support the functionalist view that individuals internalize the notion that positions having the greatest importance for society and requiring the greatest training are entitled to hold high occupational prestige and to experience greater rewards. We also found partial support regarding Blau's perspective. Implications of this pilot study are discussed.