As we move forward with our series of essays focused on Professional Identity and Medicines Development, we are pleased to share the second of two well-written essays by Academy alumna María Beatriz Greaves. We extend our gratitude to María for her contributions to our learning community.

“Discuss Professional Identity and the Sense of Purpose in Medicines Development and their relevance for professionals involved in the field.”

Maria Beatriz Greaves, Ophthalmologist and Medical Advisor at Laboratorios Théa, Barcelona, Spain

“Professional identity (PI) can start to develop even before starting formal education, when an individual imagines her/his future professional life and considers the path to follow. For many students, their early backgrounds, experiences, values, and role models, may influence their professional selves [1].

A career in the pharmaceutical industry was probably not what many Medicines Development (MD) professionals had in mind when they enrolled in medical or biotech schools. Few fellowship graduates take up positions in the industry and most physicians are unaware of the career paths the industry has to offer. Professional Identity might have evolved in a different direction than the path finally followed. The motivation to embark on a career in the industry can be varied: attraction to science and research; balancing the advantages of industry in contrast to academic settings; leaving clinical practice due to pressure from the healthcare system; the idealistic notion of positively impacting patients on a larger scale; financial considerations, and many other reasons [2]. Those values, beliefs, experience, skills, and knowledge that formed an initial Professional Identity and sense of purpose are challenged to transform when a MD career is pursued [3, 4].

First steps in a Medicines Development career and a Professional Identity transformation might be preceded by formal education in pharmaceutical medicine or shaped by immersion in the work experience. Interaction with colleagues, undertaking roles, assuming responsibilities, gaining explicit knowledge from diverse sources such as literature, courses, and implicit knowledge from being part of the community of practice, the influence of role models, and mentoring when available, all contribute to shaping Professional Identity [5, 6, 7].

Despite many differences between industry and clinical practice, the similarities can find resonance with the sense of purpose of the MD professional: the dedication to improve the lives of patients; the commitment to scientific rigor; though no longer involved in the daily care of patients, the knowledge that they contribute to therapeutics that impact thousands of patients [2]. MD professionals feel proud of and engaged in their work when they sense connection with their purpose or identify with the core purpose of their organization. Purpose then serves as a compass, guiding decision-making and aiding the resolution of ethical dilemmas [8].

The strength and character of the Professional Identity of a Medicines Development professional could in some instances be hindered if there is the perception that changing paths involves decreased social recognition and prestige [9]; or by cultural biases, despite improving its reputation during the Covid pandemic, the relationship of the industry with the public, and medical community is still complicated [9, 10].

Self-reflection, the reevaluation and discussion of past tactics, strategy and experiences and our roles in them, allows us to build our own stories, internalize what makes sense and build and strengthen our Professional Identity [1]. It allows us to recognize our value, identify the skills needed to meet short and long term demands of an environment in continuous change, plan accordingly and allow our career to advance [11]. Professional Identity is strengthened by positive work experiences, opportunities to develop skills and gain expertise, having good role models, earning trust and responsibility, having satisfaction with goals attained, and by feeling part of something bigger [3].

Medicines Development professionals with a strong Professional Identity and sense of purpose commit to providing best practices and act with integrity. In a changing landscape, they find the motivation to adapt, learn and innovate. They share and grow knowledge and influence through interaction with team members, cross-functional teams and other Medicines Development professionals; and at the end of the day, look back, and make honest critical reflections and grow [12].”

References

  1. [1] Wilson I, Cowin LS, Johnson M, Young H. Professional identity in medical students: pedagogical challenges to medical education. Teach Learn Med. 2013;25(4):369-73. doi: 10.1080/10401334.2013.827968. PMID: 24112208.
  2. [2] Sweiti H, Wiegand F, Bug C, Vogel M, Lavie F, Winiger-Candolfi I, Schuier M. Physicians in the pharmaceutical industry: their roles, motivations, and perspectives. Drug Discov Today. 2019 Sep;24(9):1865-1870. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2019.05.021. Epub 2019 May 31. PMID: 31158509.
  3. [3] https://psychology4u.net/psychology/professional-identity/
  4. [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_formation
  5. [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_identification
  6. [6] Bettin KA. The Role of Mentoring in the Professional Identity Formation of Medical Students. Orthop Clin North Am. 2021 Jan;52(1):61-68. doi: 10.1016/j.ocl.2020.08.007. Epub 2020 Oct 27. PMID: 33222985.
  7. [7] Orsmond P, McMillan H, Zvauya R. It’s how we practice that matters: professional identity formation and legitimate peripheral participation in medical students: a qualitative study. BMC Med Educ. 2022 Feb 9;22(1):91. doi: 10.1186/s12909-022-03107-1. PMID: 35139839; PMCID: PMC8830078.
  8. [8] https://www.kinesisinc.com/how-to-discover-your-companys-core-purpose/
  9. [9] Ipsos Global Trustworthiness monitor. Is trust in crisis? https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/ct/news/documents/2022-01/ipsos-global-trustworthiness-monitor-is-trust-in-crisis.pdf#page=45
  10. [10] Friedman JR. GI Research Path: From Academia to the Pharmaceutical Industry. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016 Dec 3;3(1):8-10. doi: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2016.11.003. PMID: 28174754; PMCID: PMC5247417.
  11. [11] https://my.chatham.edu/documents/documentcenter/PDFDefining%20your%20professi onal%20identity%20one%20sheet%202017-18.pdf
  12. [12] Fitzgerald A. Professional identity: A concept analysis. Nurs Forum. 2020 Jul;55(3):447-472. doi: 10.1111/nuf.12450. Epub 2020 Apr 6. PMID: 32249453.

Disclaimers

  • The material in these reviews is from various public open access sources, meant for educational and informational purposes only
  • Any personal opinions expressed are those of only the author(s) and are not intended to represent the position of any organization(s)
  • No official support by any organization(s) has been provided or should be inferred