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http://hdl.handle.net/11375/24484
Title: | It’s Complicated: A Mixed Methods Study of the Professional Identity of Massage Therapists in Ontario |
Authors: | Baskwill, Amanda |
Advisor: | Dore, Kelly |
Department: | Health Research Methodology |
Publication Date: | 2019 |
Abstract: | Background Professional identity is a way in which individuals assign meaning to themselves and their contributions to society. The body of literature from across healthcare professions suggests that the sense of belonging that comes with a strong professional identity influences practitioners to act professionally and adhere to regulatory standards. Although all members of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) call themselves (registered) massage therapists, there is disagreement about what they value and believe. Research that describes the professional identity of massage therapists in their own words may illuminate commonalities and form a shared model of identity. Methods An exploratory sequential mixed methods design was chosen to investigate the professional identity of massage therapists in Ontario. Qualitative description and quantitative survey methodologies were used, followed by a mixed analysis of both data sets. Results In the resulting description of professional identity, massage therapists believe they are healthcare providers. They value competence and currency with profession-specific knowledge and skill. They believe in the importance of communication to establish trust, create comfort, and empower patients. They are passionate about providing safe, effective, and individualized care. This study also confirmed that variation in professional identity exists within the profession that impacts values and beliefs. Conclusions This description is the first of its kind and will inform future research. Massage Therapy stakeholders can use this description to engage in discussions regarding whether these features adequately represent massage therapists’ beliefs and values. Variation in professional identity occurred due to differences in gender, practice setting, length in practice, and additional education, roles within the profession, and designation as healthcare professional. These variations present opportunities for future research to further the understanding of professional identity. Much remains to be discovered in this field of study, due to the complexity of professional identity. |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11375/24484 |
Appears in Collections: | Open Access Dissertations and Theses |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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Baskwill_Amanda_J_201905_PhDHealthReserachMethodology.pdf | 1.47 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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