Comparing and Contrasting Professional Identity Formation Among Health Professional Students.

This project aims to review and compare the professional identity formation (PIF) of medical, dental, nursing, and pharmacy students while analyzing the role of interprofessional education (IPE) in this journey. Our medical research librarian conducted a literature review. Papers were selected based on the inclusion criteria developed by authors for PIF and IPE topics, which were then stratified for each health program of interest: medicine, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacy. The IPE core competencies were analyzed to understand the effect of IPE on each respective group of health professional students. Among all four major health professions, trust, collaboration, responsibility, accountability, communication, and empathy are key values within PIF. Trust, collaboration, and empathy were also regarded as core values in developing professionalism. Medical and dental students placed greater emphasis on responsibility and accountability regarding PIF. IPE played a crucial role in PIF for all students as values, teamwork, roles, and responsibilities were emphasized among each healthcare discipline of interest. This review provides significant information regarding which characteristics are emphasized for professional development across healthcare training programs. Future research to explore how certain characteristics and values influence healthcare as a whole is crucial. Investigating various influences on PIF outcomes is warranted for enhancing professional training programs and promoting interprofessional collaboration for better healthcare delivery.