The professional status of medical science in Australia

Medical science in Australia has encountered barriers to professionalisation that are globally common to medical science and other health occupations. This paper explores what factors determine professionalisation. It also examines some of the processes which health workers have followed in order to obtain the title of "professional". The relatively unsuccessful professionalisation of Australian medical science is explored and factors which may have influenced this are discussed. Some of these issues include a low public profile, a lack of public respect for the work undertaken by the medical scientist, a lack of unity within the group, a lack of autonomy, low income, reduced employment opportunities and restricted continuing education and research opportunities