title: Identifying common values among seven health professions: An interprofessional analysis.
abstract: This article reviews the competency frameworks of seven Australian health professions to explore relationships among health professions of similar status as reflected in their competency frameworks and to identify common themes and values across the professions. Frameworks were compared using a constructivist grounded theory approach to identify key themes, against which individual competencies for each profession were mapped and compared. The themes were examined for underlying values and a higher order theoretical framework was developed. In contrast to classical theories of professionalism that foreground differentiation of professions, our study suggests that the professions embrace a common structure and understanding, based on shared underpinning values. We propose a model of two core values that encompass all identified themes: the rights of the client and the capacity of a particular profession to serve the healthcare needs of clients. Interprofessional practice represents the intersection of the rights of the client to receive the best available healthcare and the recognition of the individual contribution of each profession. Recognising that all health professions adhere to a common value base, and exploring professional similarities and differences from that value base, challenges a paradigm that distinguishes professions solely on scope of practice.
authors.affiliation: a School of Health and Human Sciences , Southern Cross University , Lismore , New South Wales , Australia.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grace
authors.affiliation: b School of Health and Human Sciences , Southern Cross University , Coolangatta , Queensland , Australia.
authors.forename: Ev
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Innes
authors.affiliation: b School of Health and Human Sciences , Southern Cross University , Coolangatta , Queensland , Australia.
authors.forename: Beverly
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Joffe
authors.affiliation: a School of Health and Human Sciences , Southern Cross University , Lismore , New South Wales , Australia.
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: East
authors.affiliation: a School of Health and Human Sciences , Southern Cross University , Lismore , New South Wales , Australia.
authors.forename: Rosanne
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Coutts
authors.affiliation: a School of Health and Human Sciences , Southern Cross University , Lismore , New South Wales , Australia.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nancarrow
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000592:standards; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000592:standards; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000592:standards; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D000068616:Professionalism; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards; D012945:Social Values
keywords: Competency-based education; constructivist grounded theory; interprofessional education; professional competencies