Power dynamics between health professionals and the social and symbolic capital of advanced practice

This article explores the interprofessional behaviours and power dynamics between doctors and advanced practitioners in healthcare. Advanced practice roles across many professions working at a higher level of practice are increasingly used in support of improving access and health outcomes in systems of care alongside a range of other professions. Advanced practitioners have complex roles, navigating boundary work, professional challenges and leading the delivery of care for their patients to maximise their impact. The interface with medicine is an important one, that has significant implications to the development of the capital of advanced practice role. Increasing professional protectionism in medicine, as clinicians perceive an erosion of their powerful position in healthcare is having a negative impact on advanced roles with important implications for the concept of team, the role of advanced practice and future workforce developments in healthcare.