Conceptualising professionalism in occupational therapy through a Western lens.

INTRODUCTION: The term professionalism is embedded within curriculum and occupational therapy documents, yet, explicit discussion of the concept is lacking in the literature. This paper strives for a greater understanding of how professionalism is currently conceptualised within Western occupational therapy literature. METHODS: A broad literature search was conducted and included international peer-reviewed and grey literature from Western cultures including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. To enrich understanding, some documents from medicine were also included. FINDINGS: Professionalism is widely upheld as a core construct of occupational therapy. However, an evidence-based consensus of the specific elements of professionalism guiding occupational therapy practice is lacking. Currently, understanding of professionalism is largely based on multiple, isolated concepts presented in Western professional association documents. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Acknowledging the multifaceted and multicultural nature of professionalism is essential to begin systematically delineating and conceptualising elements of professionalism specific to occupational therapy. LIMITATIONS: This review has been conducted from a solely Western cultural lens. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Additional work to highlight differences specific to international contexts, cultures, and societal influences is needed to enrich the understanding of professionalism in occupational therapy practice.

Professionalism and occupational therapy: an exploration of faculty and students' perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Professionalism is a complex, multifaceted concept embedded within the curricula of occupational therapy programs and professional documents; yet there is no clear explanation in the literature. PURPOSE: To explore occupational therapy faculty and students' perspectives of the meaning of professionalism. METHODS: This interpretivist qualitative study used convenience sampling to recruit eight second-year occupational therapy master's students and five occupational therapy faculty members to participate in two separate focus groups. Open-coding and constant comparative methods were used to identify themes. FINDINGS: Data analysis yielded the following student focus group themes: uncertainty about professional expectations; searching for answers through concrete concepts; and the context-specific nature of professionalism. Faculty focus group themes were professional responsibility; professional awareness; and the context-specific nature of professionalism. Understanding and enacting professionalism may be a developmental process. IMPLICATIONS: Further exploration of the meaning of professionalism from a variety of other occupational therapy stakeholders is needed.