Analyzing the professional practice context using three lenses: An essential step for responding strategically

Abstract

In the face of increased external controls on their practice and increased accountability obligations, health professionals such as occupational therapists must be able to act strategically with other stakeholders to reach consensus about service quality and the accompanying level of professional autonomy. Such strategic action requires certain competencies, including that of analyzing the context in which one’s practice take place. In this article, we argue that the following three approaches, or lenses, should be used in this analysis: (1) accountability, (2) ethics, and (3) professional-as-worker. Individually, each lens offers a useful perspective, however, using all three permits a comprehensive and conceptually clear analysis. We present both the distinctive characteristics and complementary elements of the three lenses.

Keywords:

• Accountability
• ethics
• practice context
• professional

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Andrew Freeman

Andrew Freeman PhD. is an associate professor in the Department of Rehabilitation (Faculté de médecine) at Université Laval and a researcher at the Centre de recherche sur les soins et les services de première ligne de l'Université Laval.

Nathalie Jauvin

Nathalie Jauvin Ph.D. is an adjunct professor in the Department of Rehabilitation (Faculté de médecine) at Université Laval and a research professional at the Institut national du Québec.