title: Weighing up the commitment: a grounded theory of the transition from occupational therapy clinician to academic.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Growth in the number of occupational therapy programmes in Australia has resulted in a critical shortage of academics. When experienced clinicians are recruited into academia, they may find the transition process difficult. The study aimed to explore clinicians' perspectives of what happens when they transition into academia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A constructivist grounded theory approach was used in this qualitative research project. Recruitment was conducted using purposive and theoretical sampling from occupational therapy programmes in Australia. Interview transcripts were analysed using constant comparative method through a process of open, axial, selective and theoretical coding.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen participants engaged in semi-structured in-depth interviews. The theory of transition into academia included a process of 'weighing up the commitment' to academia and the core category of 'a good fit for me'. The transition was characterised by the taxing nature of the work, the need to learn multiple aspects of a new role, the different values and beliefs in an academic environment and the amount of time it took to achieve success. Participants underwent a shift in identity to adjust to the academic environment and eventually reached a point where they were able to judge if academia suited them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Australian universities have long-standing cultural practices which differ considerably from clinical settings. Transitioning from a clinical to an academic occupational therapy role requires complex adjustments to values, beliefs and identity. The process involved consideration by the new academics of their 'fit' for academia, and how committed they were to stay.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, International Centre for Allied Health Evidence, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Mandy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stanley
authors.forename: Shelley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D002322:Career Mobility; D005178:Faculty / Q000592:standards / Q000600:supply & distribution; D005260:Female; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: academies and institutes; culture; qualitative research; role; social identification