Understanding professional identity in occupational therapy: A scoping review
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Accepted Manuscript (AM)
Author(s)
Walder, Kim
Bissett, Michelle
Molineux, Matthew
Whiteford, Gail
Year published
2021
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INTRODUCTION: A strong professional identity helps occupational therapists maintain professional values and thrive when facing work-related challenges and opportunities including generic, blurred or emerging roles, funding pressures and a push for outcome evidence. A scoping review will build understanding of professional identity and how to maintain it in such circumstances. OBJECTIVES: To scope what is currently understood of professional identity in occupational therapy and factors which influence ability to maintain this and adapt in challenging work environments. METHODS: Using Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review ...
View more >INTRODUCTION: A strong professional identity helps occupational therapists maintain professional values and thrive when facing work-related challenges and opportunities including generic, blurred or emerging roles, funding pressures and a push for outcome evidence. A scoping review will build understanding of professional identity and how to maintain it in such circumstances. OBJECTIVES: To scope what is currently understood of professional identity in occupational therapy and factors which influence ability to maintain this and adapt in challenging work environments. METHODS: Using Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework three databases were searched using the terms 'occupational therap*' and 'professional identity'. Data extraction and thematic analysis highlighted the extent and nature of current literature and mapped key concepts. RESULTS: 89 papers were included. Professional identity was revealed as a multidimensional construction. Four themes emerged: developing a shared ontology, embracing the culture, enacting occupational therapy, and believing in occupational therapy. Factors which influenced development and maintenance of professional identity included occupation-centred practice, ontological reflexivity, linking theory to practice and professional socialization. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The enhanced understanding of professional identity and factors which preserve or enhance it can help the profession identify how to position itself to remain resilient and adaptive in an ever-changing environment.
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View more >INTRODUCTION: A strong professional identity helps occupational therapists maintain professional values and thrive when facing work-related challenges and opportunities including generic, blurred or emerging roles, funding pressures and a push for outcome evidence. A scoping review will build understanding of professional identity and how to maintain it in such circumstances. OBJECTIVES: To scope what is currently understood of professional identity in occupational therapy and factors which influence ability to maintain this and adapt in challenging work environments. METHODS: Using Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework three databases were searched using the terms 'occupational therap*' and 'professional identity'. Data extraction and thematic analysis highlighted the extent and nature of current literature and mapped key concepts. RESULTS: 89 papers were included. Professional identity was revealed as a multidimensional construction. Four themes emerged: developing a shared ontology, embracing the culture, enacting occupational therapy, and believing in occupational therapy. Factors which influenced development and maintenance of professional identity included occupation-centred practice, ontological reflexivity, linking theory to practice and professional socialization. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The enhanced understanding of professional identity and factors which preserve or enhance it can help the profession identify how to position itself to remain resilient and adaptive in an ever-changing environment.
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Journal Title
Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy
Copyright Statement
This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of an article published in the Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 07 Oct 2021, copyright Taylor & Francis, available online at: https://doi.org/10.1080/11038128.2021.1974548
Note
This publication has been entered in Griffith Research Online as an advanced online version.
Subject
Allied health and rehabilitation science
Occupational therapy
Profession
adaptation
occupation-centred
ontology
role