Preparing Pharmacy Educators as Expedition Guides to Support Professional Identity Formation in Pharmacy Education

Objective. To provide an educator-friendly travel guide for supporting pharmacy students’ lifelong journey to professional identity formation. Findings. In contrast to professionalism, which has emphasized externally visible behaviors, professional identity focuses on the internalization of the attitudes, standards, and behavioral norms of a profession, such that one “thinks, acts, and feels” like a member of that profession. Identity, whether personal or professional, is continuously developed in part during interactions with others and in response to internal and external feedback on those interactions. Educators play a critical role in helping students navigate the “provocative moments” (eg, transitions, dissonance) that accompany identity formation. To help educators travel with purpose, several identity formation theories suggest means of creating learning experiences and supporting the development of a professional identity. Additionally, guidebooks for the trip (ie, published literature) provide examples of didactic and experiential teaching approaches that can be used to promote professional identity formation. While further exploration and research are necessary, traveling this journey with colleagues can help members of the Academy succeed in sustainably and effectively infusing intentional professional identity formation within pharmacy education and training. Summary. There are myriad ways for educators to develop and support professional identity formation, which can present a challenge when defining the role that educators play in this complex, dynamic process. Educators must understand the reasoning behind various approaches and the common dialogue used to engage and support learners as their expedition guides on the lifelong journey to professional identity formation.