Professional identity and emerging occupational therapy practice: An autoethnography.

BACKGROUND.: Research about occupational therapy practice in the community with people who have been imprisoned remains limited and may be considered an emerging area of practice.

PURPOSE.: This paper provides a critical, first-person account about emerging occupational therapy practice with men transitioning to the community post-imprisonment. The practice context is described and reflected on from the lens of a new graduate.

METHODS.: Autoethnography draws meaning from reciprocal interactions between an individual and a culture. Data was collected by the primary author through reflective journal entries and process notes pertaining to a Photovoice project. Iterative application of established evaluative criteria served as a framework in an analytical writing process.

FINDINGS.: Autethnography promoted self-reflection and professional development while Photovoice provided an evidence-based framework in an emerging setting.

IMPLICATIONS.: Current occupational therapy theories and models have limited applicability to inform practice with marginalized populations potentially benefitting from participatory research (e.g., Photovoice) and autoethnography.