Understanding professional identity in occupational therapy: A scoping review

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy
• Professional identity
• Healthcare professions

Background:

• Professional identity is crucial for occupational therapists to navigate challenges like evolving roles and funding pressures.
• Maintaining a strong professional identity aids in upholding values and adapting to work demands.
• A scoping review is essential to understand and support professional identity in occupational therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively scope the current understanding of professional identity in occupational therapy.
• To identify factors influencing the maintenance and adaptation of professional identity in challenging work environments.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review was conducted using Arksey and O'Malley's framework.
• Searches were performed across three databases using terms 'occupational therap*' and 'professional identity'.
• Data extraction and thematic analysis were employed to map key concepts and literature scope.

Main Results:

• 89 papers were included in the review.
• Professional identity is a multidimensional construct.
• Four key themes emerged: shared ontology, embracing culture, enacting practice, and belief in the profession.
• Occupation-centred practice, reflexivity, theory-practice links, and socialization influence identity.

Conclusions:

• Enhanced understanding of professional identity supports occupational therapists' resilience.
• Identifying factors that preserve or enhance professional identity aids adaptation in a changing healthcare landscape.
• This knowledge helps the profession strategically position itself for future challenges.