Dr Elizabeth Donnelly1, Dr. Justin Mausz2,3, Sarah Salvis4, Dominique Arseneau-Bruneau5
1University Of Windsor, Windsor, Canada, 2Paramedic Services, Region of Peel, Brampton, Canada, 3Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada, 4EMS Division – District of Timiskaming Social Services Board, Temiskaming Shores, Canada, 5Dallaire Centre of Excellence for Peace and Security, Canadian Defence Academy, Ottawa, Canada
Biography:
Elizabeth Donnelly, PhD, MPH, LICSW, NREMT is a Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada. Dr. Donnelly’s primary research interest is in workforce mental health issues in paramedicine. Visit www.elizabethdonnelly.com to learn more about Dr. Donnelly’s work.
Abstract:
Introduction
Research highlights the underrepresentation of women in paramedic leadership roles, though the underlying reasons remain unclear. This study, part of an ongoing mixed methods research project, aims to explore the career experiences of women in executive-level positions to identify barriers and enablers to career advancement.
Methods
We purposively selected a sample of 8 women in executive roles within Ontario paramedic services for in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Conducted via Zoom, the interviews followed a biographical narrative approach. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis, with successive rounds of open and focused coding to identify descriptive themes.
Results
The participants presented as a resilient and highly motivated group. Women faced significant institutional adversity, including a lack of mentors, limited professional development opportunities, and a networking culture centered around typically masculine activities. Participants were often held to different standards than their male counterparts, particularly regarding leadership behaviors. Assertiveness from a woman was frequently labeled as “bitchy,” with comments like “you must be on your period.” Despite the challenges, the participants identified a supportive spouse, an egalitarian distribution of household responsibilities, and bosses who respect work-life balance as crucial enablers of their success.
Conclusions
This study is ongoing, but preliminary findings suggest that while women’s paths to leadership are fraught with adversity. Supportive partners and bosses who value their professional growth and respect work-life boundaries are key drivers of career advancement. As with much qualitative research, our findings are context-specific, and caution should be exercised when generalizing to other settings.