Paramedics, protocols, and procedures: “Playing doc” as deviant role performance∗

Revised version of a paper presented at the Annual Meetings of the Southwestern Sociological Association in Fort Worth, Texas, March, 1990.

This descriptive study concentrates on how the concept and implementation of “medical control” affects the behavior of paramedics. Specifically, the medicolegal principles of physician extender and respondeat superior are examined in regard to the resultant prescriptions and proscriptions concerning work performances of paramedics. Paramedics are found to devise general and specific strategies that allow them to deal with the sometimes vague and problematic aspects of medical authority. Strategies include avoiding contact with medical control, deviations from standard protocols, and deliberately concealing certain behaviors and practices.

Notes

Revised version of a paper presented at the Annual Meetings of the Southwestern Sociological Association in Fort Worth, Texas, March, 1990.