Early-career genetic counselors' professional identity formation through experiences with continuing education at a professional conference.

ABSTRACT: This research aimed to describe professional identity (PI) and professional identity formation (PIF) of early-career genetic counselors (GCs) attending a professional conference. PI is a sense of self within a professional community and includes interpersonal and intrapersonal characteristics that reflect shared values of the field. PI can be learned through modeling in settings like conferences where professionals assemble and are engaged in continuing education (CE). Using a particularistic case study methodology and a social learning theory frame, this study explored how PI is modeled and the experiences that contribute to feelings of belonging in the profession. Participants were newly certified GCs who attended the 2022 National Society of Genetic Counselors Annual Conference. Sixteen

SUBMITTER: Mills R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12516107 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature