Understanding professional identity in occupational therapy: A scoping review

Abstract

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.

Keywords:

• Profession
• occupation-centred
• adaptation
• role
• ontology
• values

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).