Profession as an Identity Flashcards
Why should pharmacy develop a professional identity?
Forming a coherent professional identity and the professionalism it supports are key to ensuring pharmacy’s relevance, now and in the future.
How does the professional identity of pharmacists differ from physicians?
Pharmacists are more likely to be passive in regards to their healthcare, whereas physicians are more likely to question the decisions of other healthcare providers. Physicians are also more likely to offer their professional opinion in their own healthcare matters vs. pharmacists.
Physicians personally identify with their careers more often than pharmacists
What is a professional identity?
The professional values, actions, and aspirations espoused by the individual pharmacist, as well as those observed by others within the profession of pharmacy
What is the difference between professionalism and professional identity?
Professional identity (this is our internal thoughts):
Attitudes
Values
Norms
Grows with experiences and social interactions
Professionalism (this is what others see):
Behaviour
Conduct
Taking responsibility for one’s actions
Adherence to ethical principles
Professional identity is foundational to the development of professionalism within the individual
Why is pharmacy’s professional identity unclear?
Pharmacy’s identity is often defined in reference to how other professions identify themselves rather than our own distinct identity
This unclear identity is seen to be due in part to a range of professional identities associated with pharmacy
Describe the evolution of pharmacy as a field over time
Apothecary (1800-1940):
Highly regarded makers of medicines who combined art and science to care for the people of their communities
Dispenser (1930-1960):
A person of science and moral character. They dispensed new effective medicines created by science with some compounding (diligent workers that ensure safety)
Merchandiser (1940-present):
Corporatized and undesirable. Seen as responsible for a decline in professional standing. Reduced individual autonomy. Conflict between professional and business goals.
Expert Advisors (1960-2000):
Pharmacist as consultant or expert advisor to the physician. Drug information and clinical service centred; but role is clearly subordinate to physicians
Healthcare Provider (1990-present)
Pharmaceutical care and patient-centred. Accountable and responsible for drug-related patient care outcomes. De-emphasizes the dispensing and merchandising roles
What is the purpose of a strong professional identity?
Maintain or advance professional status in times of changing scopes of practice
Support the self-regulation needed to ensure high standards
Create the confidence needed to practice effectively
What is professional identity formation (PIF)?
The process by which these values, actions, and aspirations develop within the practitioner
The process of transforming from lay person to professional
Process occurs over many years (iterative, gradual, and non-linear)
For most individuals, this process begins with entry into a professional program
What is the professional identity formation (PIF) pyramid?
This pyramid describes the steps in the development of a professional identity.
KNOWS the behavioural norms of a pharmacist (knows core principles of professionalism)
KNOWS WHEN individual behaviours are appropriate of a pharmacist (can describe a process for addressing a specific moral conflict
SHOWS HOW to demonstrate the behaviours expected of a pharmacist under supervision (ex. Demonstrates cultural sensitivity when interviewing a patient)
DOES: consistently demonstrates the attitudes, values, and behaviours expected of one who has come to “think, act, and feel like a pharmacist” (graduated and licensed pharmacist)
What can support professional identity formation in pharmacy?
Academic program design: An over emphasis on clinical knowledge and skills can lead to weak understanding of one’s professional role and a fragmented understanding of our professional selves
Opportunities within the academic program:
Patient-facing faculty/professional role models
Opportunities for authentic role playing
Meaningful experiential learning activities
Opportunities for self-reflection
Supportive practice settings:
Allow you to practice in a way that reflects your professional identity
Strong mentoring/role models:
Collegiality and re-enforcement of professional values and behaviours
What are statutory organizations?
These are provincial regulatory authorities or licensing bodies (SCPP licenses and regulates pharmacists in Saskatchewan). The SCPP can be defined as a professional organization.
They are created by statute (law), allowing the provinces to govern the practices if health professions, including pharmacy. These organizations are self-regulating hold fellow professionals accountable. Their main purpose is to protect public interests.
What is NAPRA?
The National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) is an alliance of the provincial and territorial pharmacy regulatory authorities. The association provides a platform for its members to discuss issues and to take a national approach in addressing common issues in the practice of pharmacy in Canada
What is the purpose of voluntary professional organizations?
Members join because they want to support the goals if the profession. These organizations are strong advocates for changes in pharmacy scope of practice. The CPhA, PAS, and CSHP are examples of large organizations of pharmacists. CAPSI and SPNSS are smaller organizations that serve a similar role for pharmacy students.
