Coherence in Self-Narratives: A Longitudinal Study of Identity Construction in Medical Trainees

• In Event: Professional Identity Formation and Development — Paper Session

Abstract

Using data from seven years of interviews with the same medical trainees, we explore the role of coherence in longitudinal self-narratives as a tool to understand identity construction. We used narrative analysis to identify the range of coherence (i.e., alignment of narrative themes throughout medical school and into residency) in our longitudinal self-narratives and to explore the utility of coherence in understanding identity construction. Our analyses reveal a range of coherence across subjects, depicted in two illustrative case examples. Given the complex, evolving process of identity construction, our findings call into question the use of singular self-narratives to make claims about coherence and identity construction and reinforce the value of using longitudinal self- narratives instead.

Authors

• Dorene F. Balmer, University of Pennsylvania

• Todd Dillard, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

• Boyd F. Richards, Baylor College of Medicine