Professional and interprofessional identities: a scoping review

ABSTRACT

Identity development within the interprofessional field is an emerging area of research. This scoping review aims to establish how professional and interprofessional identities are defined, conceptualized, theorized and measured within the interprofessional literature. Six databases were systematically searched for papers focusing on professional and/or interprofessional identities in interprofessional healthcare and education using a scoping review methodology. A total of 84 papers were included. Most papers discussed professional identity only; the minority discussed both identities. There were three key findings. First, no universal definition of interprofessional identity exists. Second, there is no shared understanding of interprofessional identity and its relationship with professional identity. Third, poor alignment between definitions, conceptualizations, theories and measures of interprofessional identity exists. The absence of a psychometrically robust instrument that specifically measures interprofessional identity and the short-term focus of current interprofessional identity research further limits understanding. Research that critically examines professional and interprofessional identity development should be underpinned by clear definitions, concepts, theories and measures of both identities. High-quality research will allow greater understanding of interprofessional identity development and its impact on interprofessional practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Professional identity
• interprofessional identity
• healthcare
• scoping review

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the students and staff for supporting this study.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to report.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

R Tong

R Tong is a doctoral candidate in the School of Psychology at Curtin University in Perth Western Australia. Her research investigates the impact of interprofessional education on pre-licensure health professionals' developing professional and interprofessional identities, and the influence of interprofessional identity on their subsequent practice as health professionals.

M. Brewer

M. Brewer is an Associate Professor in the School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia. Margo conducts research on learning and teaching in higher education, and has previously published in the Journal of Interprofessional Care on leadership and learner experiences in interprofessional education.

H. Flavell

H. Flavell is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia. She has published on a range of higher education learning and teaching topics and is a Senior Higher Education Fellow (SFHEA).

L. D. Roberts

L. D. Roberts is an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia. Lynne conducts research on teaching and learning in higher education, and has previously published research in the Journal of Interprofessional Care on undergraduate students’ experiences with interprofessional education.