Muriel Driver Memorial Lecture 1980--Directions for the decade

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy
• Professional development
• Role theory

Background:

• Role theory provides a framework for understanding professional identity and practice.
• Evidence suggests a need for enhanced role negotiation skills within the Canadian occupational therapy profession.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the critical element of role negotiation in professional development for occupational therapists.
• To identify and describe effective role negotiation strategies.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing research on role theory and professional development.
• Analysis of the occupational therapy profession's context in Canada.
• Identification of four distinct role negotiation strategies.

Main Results:

• Occupational therapists require specific skills in role negotiation for career advancement.
• Four key strategies were identified to aid therapists in navigating and defining their professional roles.
• Effective role negotiation positively impacts professional standing and practice.

Conclusions:

• Developing robust role negotiation skills is essential for Canadian occupational therapists.
• The proposed strategies offer practical approaches for therapists to leverage their roles.
• Effective role negotiation has significant positive implications for the future of occupational therapy practice.