BUILDING PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY IN PHYSIOTHERAPY EDUCATION

Abstract

Who a physiotherapist becomes matters just as much as what they can do. Professional identity the internal sense of values, purpose, and responsibility that shapes how a practitioner shows up for patients is cultivated through years of education, reflection, and experience. This chapter explores how physiotherapy programs can intentionally nurture that identity, weaving ethical reasoning and professional conduct into every stage of training rather than treating them as isolated subjects. Drawing on principles such as autonomy, beneficence, justice, and confidentiality, the discussion examines what it means to practice with genuine moral awareness and how academic institutions can create environments where those qualities take root. Challenges including digital privacy, boundary maintenance, and cultural sensitivity are explored alongside emerging issues posed by telehealth and AI. The chapter argues that building professional identity is not a curricular checkbox it is an ongoing, deeply human project central to the future of the profession.