Abstract
Professional socialization is a complex process that leads to the professional identity. While several studies have focused on the professional identity of physicians and nurses, few studies analyzed this aspect among dieticians. Furthermore, those studies did not consider the influence of sociocultural norms. The aim of this study was to analyze the construction of the professional identity of Brazilian, French and Spanish dieticians. A qualitative methodology based on semi-structured interviews was set up. The construction of the professional identity of Brazilian, French and Spanish dieticians is characterized by the incorporation of skills, knowledge and roles. This process was marked by transformations, mainly related to food and body. Dieticians from the three nationalities shared similar professional values grounded in a medical-nutritional rationale. However, their professional identity also resulted from a continuous process of interaction with patients, peers and the socio-cultural environment.
Highlights
The profession of dietician became an essential area of healthcare[1], with an increasing number of countries recognizing this profession[2]
Eleven Brazilian dieticians graduated in Dietetics in private institutions and four professionals in public institutions
The professional becomes and is a dietician according to the standards regulating the profession, their training, the nutritional knowledge learned, the external expectations of the patients, and the sociocultural context
Summary
The profession of dietician became an essential area of healthcare[1], with an increasing number of countries recognizing this profession[2]. This process has been accompanied by the emergence of national and international organizations, which define professional competencies, training standards, and ethical codes. The construction of the professional identity of dieticians remains relatively unexplored[3,4,5,6] despite their growing relevance. According to the constructivist approach of Berger and Luckmann[9], socialization is a constant process of constructing identities associated with different activity spheres in which individuals meet their existence and become actors. Professional socialization is the process by which people selectively acquire the values and attitudes, the interests, skills and knowledge – in short the culture – current in groups of which they are, or seek to become a member10. (p. 278)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
