Building Professional Identity In Healthcare: Experiences Of Nursing, Dentistry, And Physiotherapy Professionals — An Integrative Review

Abstract

Background:
Professional identity formation (PIF) is a critical component of healthcare education and practice, shaping how practitioners perceive their professional roles, values, and relationships within increasingly interdisciplinary environments. Although the concept of professional identity has been widely explored in nursing, limited comparative evidence exists across dentistry and physiotherapy—two equally essential but distinct fields.

Purpose:
This integrative review aimed to synthesize existing literature on professional identity formation among nursing, dentistry, and physiotherapy professionals, examining how educational, social, and cultural factors contribute to identity development across these disciplines.

Methods:
Following the framework of Whittemore and Knafl (2005), a comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and ERIC databases for studies published between 2010 and 2025. Forty-eight peer-reviewed studies meeting inclusion criteria were analyzed using thematic synthesis. Data were extracted regarding professional context, methodology, and key findings, then categorized into cross-disciplinary themes.

Results:
Five major themes emerged: (1) educational influences, (2) professional socialization and mentorship, (3) interprofessional collaboration, (4) cultural and institutional contexts, and (5) barriers to identity formation. Findings revealed that while nursing emphasizes compassion and ethical practice, dentistry prioritizes technical mastery and autonomy, and physiotherapy centers on reflection and collaborative rehabilitation. Shared determinants of strong professional identity included structured mentorship, reflective learning, and interprofessional engagement. Conversely, burnout, hierarchical structures, and unclear role boundaries were common obstacles.

Conclusions:
Professional identity in healthcare is dynamic, context-sensitive, and influenced by both individual reflection and institutional culture. Integrating reflective pedagogy, interprofessional education, and culturally responsive mentorship can enhance professional identity development. For Saudi Arabia, these strategies align with Vision 2030’s emphasis on workforce empowerment and healthcare quality transformation. Strengthening identity formation across nursing, dentistry, and physiotherapy professionals can therefore contribute to a more resilient, ethical, and collaborative healthcare system.