Enhancing professional identity formation in health professions: A multi-layered framework for educational and reflective practice

Professional identity formation (PIF) is a multi-dimensional and dynamic process central to health professions education. It involves integrating personal values with societal expectations and professional responsibilities. This article introduces a novel multi-layered conceptual framework-drawing on evolutionary economics, systems theory, and information architecture-to address a gap in current competency-based education models. Unlike prior frameworks, this approach provides a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and adaptable pathway for fostering reflective and ethically grounded healthcare professionals. By incorporating these elements, the framework uniquely supports educators in developing healthcare professionals who can navigate the evolving complexities of modern healthcare systems.