Hanson, Debra Jane Adele; Ph.D.
Program of Education;
College of Human Development and Education; North Dakota State University
March 2009
The Professional Identity of Occupational Therapist: Construction, Enactment and Valued Supports
Major Professor: Dr. Kathy Enger
This research study was conducted for the purpose of examining the construction and enactment of professional identity of occupational therapists employed in medical settings. Using a grounded theory approach, the study addressed the following broadly stated questions: (a) What constructs are used by occupational therapists in hospital settings to define occupational therapy? (b) How do hospital-based therapists construct individual professional identity? (c) What factors influence the enacted of individual professional identity in hospital-based occupational therapy practice? (d) What supports are identified by therapists as helpful to construction and enactment of professional identity?
A combination of sampling methods 9nomination and purposive) was used to select 12 occupational therapists for personal interviews> Data were analyzed using the constant comparison method of emergent categories beginning with open coding and continuing with axial and selective coding.
The following conclusions are supported by the study: (a) the concepts and constructs informing occupational therapy practice are reflective of ideas emphasized in the educational context and mediated by the medical practice context; (b) the temporal, physical, and reimbursement realities of the medical setting direct practice towards remediation of underlying impairment and development of self-care competencies; (c) the social context of the medical setting is critical to developing the language, knowledge, skills and resulting professional boundaries of the practice culture; (d) holistic therapy services are provided in a clandestine fashion; (e) with practice experience and opportunity for reflection, client-centered and occupation-based practice ideals can be incorporated into everyday practice activities: (f) research evidence, supportive leadership and enhanced communication between healthcare disciplines are valued for increasing the visibility of occupational therapy services.
