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Professionalism and My Role Within the Health Care System

  • abissett22
  • May 30, 2022
  • 4 min read

Updated: Jun 16, 2022

Professional Experience and Values

In the fifteen years I have practiced as an occupational therapist, I have had invaluable opportunities to improve client's quality of life. Working primarily in long term care, I have seen both the pain and the beauty in difficult stages of client's lives. I've witnessed husbands and wives loving each other unconditionally and adult children who have done their best to honour the parents who raised them. I've grieved losses as clients have passed away. I've celebrated successes with clients, such as obtaining power mobility, healing a wound, or regaining the ability to eat their favourite foods. In client interactions, what I have valued most is compassion and dignity. These experiences have shaped who I have become as an individual and as a clinician.

I've also had the privilege of enjoying the camaraderie that comes from working with respected colleagues through emotionally charged situations. I've learned from mentors who have exemplified traits I value: servant leadership, genuine human connection, and excellence. I've also had opportunities to mentor students and colleagues, and have found joy in watching them develop as clinicians. I've collaborated with peers of different disciplines, who each view a situation with a unique perspective. Together, we attain outcomes better than what any of us could achieve alone.

Throughout my career, I've strived to foster a professional identity that is consistent with my values: compassion, dignity, servant leadership, genuine human connection, and excellence. As I move into leadership roles, my goal is to continually improve in the way I demonstrate these values daily.

Virtual Professional Identity

This course has highlighted the importance of having a virtual professional presence. Professional use of social media has strong potential benefits, including awareness of new literature, networking, and the opportunity to learn through case studies (Guerra et al, 2022). There are also risks with social media. Recommendations to mitigate these risks include avoiding social media use in emotionally charged situations, conducting regular self-audits of online presence, and considering that all messages to groups can be considered public (Etheredge & Fabian, 2022).

Through a self-audit, I found that my only current virtual professional presence was through LinkedIn. In the past, I co-authored a blog with another occupational therapist on the topic of chronic pain (Bissett & Lawrence, 2017). Our regular blog posts and online networking with clinicians at the time resulted in a strong online professional presence and led to rich learning opportunities. I have realized that renewing my engagement in online professional activities can enhance my learning in the Masters of Health Studies program. I hope to use this e-Portfolio to curate resources, create content, and redevelop a professional online presence that is consistent with my values.

My Role Within the Health Care System

My role occurs within the context of a multi-layer public health system. Systems thinking is essential in understanding and improving health care (Savigny & Adam, 2009). Figure 1 is a basic representation of where my role fits in the system, including relevant legislation and standards for each level. It is interesting to note that standards and legislation governing continuing care are currently undergoing redevelopment and modernization. A comprehensive review recently identified 42 recommendations to improve facility based care in Alberta (MNP, 2021). A new act has been proposed that would replace existing legislation (Bill 11: Continuing Care Act, 2022). I look forward to the improved care that will result from these changes.

Putting it all Together

Health care professionals in every level of the Canadian health care system make meaningful contributions to patient health and well-being. Our overall effectiveness depends on our ability to exemplify not only our own professional values, but the values of each level of the health system. Figure 2 shows key values and principles relevant for my role. These values set the stage for my journey in the Master of Health Studies program, and I look forward to sharing my learning with you.


References

ACOTRO, ACOTUP, & CAOT. (2021). Competencies for occupational therapists in Canada.

Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (2003). Standards of practice.

Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (2005). Code of ethics. https://acot.ca/wp-

Alberta Health Act (2014). https://www.qp.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?

Alberta Health Services (n.d.) AHS CARES Values booklet.

Bill 11: Continuing Care Act (2022). https://www.assembly.ab.ca/assembly-

Bissett, A., & Lawrence, C. (2017). Reclaiming Life From Pain [Blog].

Continuing Care Health Service Standards (2018).

Etheredge, H. R., & Fabian, J. (2022). Communication in Healthcare: Global challenges in

Guerra, F., Linz, D., Garcia,R., Kommata, V., Kosiuk, J., Chun, J., Boveda, S., & Duncker, D.

(2022).The use of social media for professional purposes by healthcare professionals: the #intEHRAct survey. EP Europace, 24(4), 691-696. https://www.cardioaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/IntEHRAct-survey.Europace-2021.pdf

Health Professions Act (2000). https://www.qp.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?

MNP (2021). Improving quality of life for residents in facility-based continuing care: Alberta

facility-based continuing care review recommendations.

Savigny, D., & Adam, T. (2009). Systems thinking for health systems strengthening. Alliance

for Health Policy and Systems Research, World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/44204/9789241563895_eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

 
 
 

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