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Calling orientations of junior doctors and medical interns in India: cultural, occupational and relational perspectives

  • Vandana Nath
Article
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Abstract

This study examines the factors that shape calling orientations within the Indian context. Based on the narratives of 72 junior doctors and medical interns, it is found that participants identify with harbouring a calling both prior and subsequent to occupational entry. Although factors such as self-recognition of talent and sensemaking of work as destiny play a role, familial communication is found to be particularly influential in the formation of a calling outlook. A relational view of callings associated with generativity and family legacy is thus highlighted. The study additionally compares the career stories of individuals who do (n = 29) and those who do not (n = 43) frame their occupation as a calling. Participants with a calling orientation are found to have a strong affective attachment to the profession, further influenced by familial communication and value internalization. The findings also demonstrate that the calling experience is malleable and can evolve through work/life experiences.

Keywords

Callings India Purpose 

Résumé

Vocation des jeunes médecins et des internes en médecine en Inde: Perspectives culturelles, professionnelles et relationnelles. Cette étude examine les facteurs qui façonnent les orientations de vocation dans le contexte indien en s’appuyant sur les récits de 72 professionnels de la médecine. Les récits de carrière des individus qui définissent (n = 29) et ne définissent pas (n = 43) leur profession comme une vocation sont comparées. Bien que la reconnaissance personnelle du talent et le fait de donner du sens au travail en tant que destinée jouent un rôle, la communication familiale apparaît être particulièrement influente dans le développement de l’appel. Une vision relationnelle des vocations, associée à la transmission intergénérationnelle et à l’héritage familial, est mise en évidence. Les vocations peuvent être malléables, émerger avant et après l’entrée dans la profession, et peuvent évoluer au travers des expériences privées et professionnelles.

Zusammenfassung

Berufung von jungen Ärzten und medizinischen Praktikanten in Indien: Kulturelle, berufliche und relationale Perspektiven. Diese Studie untersucht Faktoren, welche innerhalb des Indischen Kontextes die Berufung prägen, in dem sie Bezug auf die Erzählungen von 72 medizinischen Fachkräften nimmt. Erzählungen über Karrieren von Individuen, welche ihren Beruf als Berufung (n = 29) und solchen, die diesen nicht als Berufung sehen (n = 43), werden verglichen. Obwohl Selbstwahrnehmung von Talent und Sinnstiftung der Arbeit als Schicksaal eine Rolle spielen, wurde gefunden, dass speziell familiäre Kommunikation als einflussreich bei der Entwicklung einer Berufung angesehen werden kann. Eine relationale Sicht der Berufung assoziiert mit Generativität und Familienerbe wird hervorgehoben. Berufungen können formbar sein, vor und nach dem Eintritt in den Beruf auftreten, und sich mit Arbeits- und Lebenserfahrungen entwickeln.

Resumen

Orientación vocacional de jóvenes médicos y médicos residentes en la India: perspectivas culturales, ocupacionales y relacionales. Este estudio analiza los factores que determinan la orientación vocacional en la India sobre la base de testimonios de 72 profesionales médicos. Se han comparado los itinerarios profesionales de aquellos (n = 29) que sí consideran su actividad como una vocación, con los de aquellos (n = 43) que no lo sienten así. Si bien, tanto el reconocimiento del propio talento, como la identificación del trabajo como una razón de ser, juegan su papel en el desarrollo vocacional de estos profesionales, la comunicación familiar demostró ser un factor particularmente determinante en dicho proceso. Se destaca en el estudio una relación de vocaciones directamente relacionadas con las raíces y trasfondo familiar. Las vocaciones pueden ser maleables, aflorar previamente a la entrada en la actividad laboral, o tras ella, a modo de consecuencia, y pueden evolucionar con las experiencias vitales y profesionales del individuo.

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© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2016

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.King’s College LondonLondonUK

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