Professional Identity Formation as Immigration

Lara Varpio, PhD
Professor of Pediatrics
The Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Co-Director of Research, CHOP Education Collaboratory
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Just as immigrants from various countries travel great distances in hopes of calling a new country home, our medical learners also undertake great journeys. For some, their trips might involve geographic treks; however, all will undertake great private journeys across any number of terrains in the name of professional identity formation. In this session, we will consider professional identity formation as a form of immigration. Through this framing, we will consider the deeply personal—and sometimes painful—work that is involved in taking on the responsibilities of the white coat.

Learning Objectives:
After attending this presentation, participants will be able to: 
    1. Understand professional identity formation (PIF) as a personal and social process;
    2. Describe the reasons why, for many, PIF is a transformative process that begins well before matriculation;
    3. Recognize the dangers of PIF that have been reported in the literature; and
    4. Describe how recognizing PIF as subjectification can help address the dangers of the PIF immigration journey.

A light lunch will be provided.

Accreditation: The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Certification: The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.00  AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.