Background. Professionalism has been given different definitions over time. These are, commonly theoretical and difficult to operationalize. Purpose. This study aimed to provide an operational definition of the concept of professionalism in occupational therapy. Method. Based on a concept analysis design, a meta-narrative review was conducted to extract information from 30 occupational therapy manuscripts. Findings. Professionalism is a complex competence defined by the manifestation of distinct attitudes and behaviours that support excellence in the occupational therapy practice. In addition, professionalism is forged and evolves according to personal and environmental characteristics. The manifestation of professionalism can lead to positive consequences for occupational therapists, clients, and the discipline, notably contributing to a positive and strong professional identity. Moreover, professionalism is also subject to cultural influences, which leads to variations in its development, manifestations, and consequences. Implications. This study offers a contemporary operational definition of professionalism and levers to promote its development and maintenance.

Les stages occupent une place centrale dans la formation des futures ergothérapeutes, mais les enjeux éthiques de la formation clinique en ergothérapie sont peu documentés. Une étude auprès de 23 ergothérapeutes ayant de l’expérience comme superviseur de stage1 a été menée afin d’accroître les données sur cet aspect de la profession. Il ressort des entretiens qualitatifs individuels semi-dirigés réalisés avec les participantes que ceux-ci vivent tous des enjeux éthiques comme formateurs cliniques. L’analyse des verbatims fait émerger des enjeux correspondant à six thèmes, soit : 1) les conflits de loyautés multiples; 2) les étudiantes en difficulté ou en situation d’échec; 3) les tensions entre quatre postures éthiques; 4) l’enseignement de l’idéal, du possible ou de rien du tout; 5) les difficultés à soutenir les compétences éthiques et culturelles; 6) les iniquités reliées à la formation clinique. L’étude révèle notamment des enjeux inédits et préoccupants. Puisque certains d’entre eux peuvent occasionner de la souffrance chez la superviseure et la stagiaire, une réflexion critique sur ce rôle de gardienne de la profession s’impose.

Occupational therapists who contribute to fieldwork education are exposed to ethical issues when supervising trainees. Both the ethical issues and the solutions to address these ethical issues are undocumented in the literature. A qualitative study was conducted to document these issues and their solutions. Twenty-three occupational therapists with supervising experience participated in this study. All the participants reported experiencing ethical issues while supervising trainees. This article aims to present the solutions proposed by the participants in order to address the ethical issues of fieldwork education. Intrinsic solutions are linked to supervisors’ ethical, pedagogical or occupational therapy competences. The extrinsic solutions deal with the appropriate measures which can and should be implemented so as to better support the supervisors’ work and better recognize the important contribution of occupational therapists who train the next generation of occupational therapists in clinical settings. This study is likely to have implications on clinical practice, teaching, research and governance.