The shaping of professional identity and education of occupational therapist students in Denmark: a qualitative study

Anna Bonde Nissen, Stine Hansen, Jeanette Reffstrup Christensen, Kathrine Skovdal Hansen, Amshuda Sonday, Kim Lee

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftsartikelForskningpeer review

Abstract

Background:
Few studies are available regarding occupational therapist students’ experiences relating to their professional identity during their education.
Aim:
The aim was to gain knowledge about the process that occupational therapist students undergo in the shaping of their professional identity.
Method:
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine participants divided into two phases: a phenomenological phase, followed up by a hermeneutical phase. The data was analysed with the use of thematic analysis.
Results:
Three themes emerged: study environment, responsibility, and choice of internships. As a part of the first theme study environments, the relations among the students were important for the shaping of a professional identity.
Conclusion:
The occupational therapy students undergo an increasing sense of responsibility throughout the education programme. Particularly, the clinical practice was found to have a positive impact on the shaping of professional identity.
Important findings:
The findings in the study can contribute to clarifying students’ perspectives on the shaping of their professional identity. Based on these findings the occupational therapist education programmes could integrate these elements as a part of their curriculum.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftScandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy
Vol/bind30
Udgave nummer4
Sider (fra-til)415-424
Antal sider10
ISSN1103-8128
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2023

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