title: The values of occupational therapy: Perceptions of occupational therapists in Quebec.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recently, there has been increasing interest in the values of occupational therapy and the values held by occupational therapists. A wide range of values has been reported in the literature. Furthermore, despite the fact that values are an important part of professional identity, empirical studies have demonstrated that several occupational therapists possess an ambiguous professional identity. This study was undertaken to explore the values of Canadian occupational therapists, specifically French-speaking occupational therapists in Quebec.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 occupational therapists. Their narratives were subject to hermeneutic analysis, a method of textual analysis common in philosophical research.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 16 values were identified in the discourses of the occupational therapists interviewed: autonomy; human dignity; occupational participation; social justice and equity; professionalism; holism; partnership, environment, or ecological approach; quality of life; solicitude; honesty; integrity; health; creativity; professional autonomy; effectiveness; and spirituality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study are, in general, consistent with those reported in the few other empirical studies that have documented the values perceptions of occupational therapists. Finally, the explanation of the values of occupational therapists may reinforce their professional identity and favour best, or at least desirable, professional practices related to ethics and culture.
authors.affiliation: a Occupational Therapy Department , Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) , Trois-Rivières , Québec , Canada and.
authors.forename: Marie-Josée
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Drolet
authors.affiliation: b Psychology Department , Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) , Trois-Rivières , Québec , Canada.
authors.forename: Marjorie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Désormeaux-Moreau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000072087:Occupational Therapists / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology*; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D010465:Perception; D028723:Personhood; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D000068616:Professionalism; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Ethics; occupational therapists; occupational therapy; ontological axiology; phenomenology; professional identity; professional values