Introduction/ Rationale: Occupational therapy literature contains little evidence of the added value of clinical doctorate education, the professional identity of a Doctor of Occupational Therapy, or distinctions between master’s and doctorate-prepared practitioners. Despite limited evidence of the outcomes of clinical doctorate education, there are 131 entry-level professional doctorate programs in the United States, with nearly 100 more awaiting accreditation, plus 73 post-professional doctorate programs. (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education [ACOTE], n.d.).
Objectives: The key objective of this study was to discover how graduates perceive their professional identities as Doctors of Occupational Therapy and develop a deeper understanding of the phenomenon of professional identity.
Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was utilized for this study. Sixteen graduates from a post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy program participated in focus group interviews and/or submitted their final reflective paper entitled, “My Envisioned Future as a Doctor of Occupational Therapy”, for analysis.
Results / Implications: Data analysis revealed a key theme of Leadership Characteristics of a Doctor of Occupational Therapy and the following four sub-themes: 1) Communication, 2) Confidence, 3) Innovation and Change Implementation: OT Unconstrained, and 4) Advocacy. Participants described their professional identity as confident, evidence-based Doctors of Occupational Therapy who think critically, innovate, advocate and communicate effectively, and influence impactful change. Results are promising and may have implications related to leadership capacity for the profession.
Conclusion / Contribution to the occupational therapy profession: Increasing numbers of Doctors of Occupational Therapy matriculating into the profession with confidence, who think critically, use evidence systematically, innovate, advocate, and influence impactful change may bode well for transforming the future for the profession.