“I am a healthcare practitioner”: A qualitative exploration of massage therapists’ professional identity

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec id="j_jcim-2019-0067_s_100_w2aab3b7c75b1b6b1aab1c14b1Aa"><jats:title>Background</jats:title><jats:p>A division has been described among massage therapists, some who identify as healthcare providers while others identify as service providers. The perceived division creates confusion about what it means to be a massage therapist.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="j_jcim-2019-0067_s_100a_w2aab3b7c75b1b6b1aab1c14b2Aa"><jats:title>Objective</jats:title><jats:p>This qualitative study answered, “How do massage therapists in Ontario describe their professional identity?”</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="j_jcim-2019-0067_s_200_w2aab3b7c75b1b6b1aab1c14b3Aa"><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>Qualitative description (QD) was used and data were collected from 33 massage therapists using semi-structured interviews.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="j_jcim-2019-0067_s_300_w2aab3b7c75b1b6b1aab1c14b4Aa"><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>The resulting description of massage therapists’ identity in Ontario is the first of its kind. The identity described includes passion as professional motivation in practice, the importance of confidence and competence, a focus on the therapeutic relationship, individualized care, and patient empowerment, and a desire to be recognized for their role within the healthcare system.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="j_jcim-2019-0067_s_400_w2aab3b7c75b1b6b1aab1c14b5Aa"><jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title><jats:p>There is still much to be investigated about massage therapists’ identity. Future research will explore whether this description resonates with a larger sample of massage therapists in Ontario.</jats:p></jats:sec>

The paradox of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on massage therapists in Australia and Canada: The reporting of a qualitative strand of a mixed methods study

“…The pre-existing constructs of massage therapists’ professional identity were the genesis for the creation of the paradox experienced by our respondents. These factors included a lack of understanding by decision makers about massage therapy, a lack of recognition of massage therapists as healthcare professionals and a lack of recognition of the benefits of massage for client health and wellbeing ( Baskwill et al, 2019 ). In the subsequent quantitative strand of this prior study, statements that described a negative perception of massage therapists by others were endorsed by more than half of the participants.…”

Massage Therapy: A Person-Centred Approach to Chronic Pain

“…Massage therapists see themselves as empathetic health professionals who focus on therapeutic relationships, individualized care, and patient empowerment. ( 42 , 43 ) It is because of these values in the profession that massage therapists are well-suited to deliver person-centred care for individuals experiencing chronic pain. There are many ways that massage therapists could apply person-centred care.…”

“…Massage therapists see themselves as empathetic health professionals who focus on therapeutic relationships, individualized care, and patient empowerment. (42,43) be poorly served with conventional pain management interventions. (13,14) Medical treatment options for chronic pain include opioids, corticosteroid injections, and arthroscopic and other invasive surgeries.…”

Digital Stories, die verbinden – Berufsidentität

“…Während der Entwicklung ihrer Berufsidentität setzt sich eine Person mit den Werten ihrer Profession sowie eigenen Glaubenssätzen auseinander. Ist die Übereinstimmung dieser Glaubenssätze gering, wird sie sich nicht als zugehörig fühlen 6 .…”