Transformative Learning as a Theoretical Framework for Professionalism Lapses Among Health Professions Trainees: A Scoping Review

Professional identity formation involves adopting values that build patient trust, a process that can be disrupted by professionalism lapses. The transformative learning process suggests that successful remediation requires shifts in underlying assumption. This scoping review examines how literature exploring professionalism remediation integrates the transformative learning process. A MEDLINE and EMBASE search identified 76 relevant studies. Most studies align with the disorienting dilemma domain, focusing on contextualization of lapses. Reflective writing and mentorship are tools to promote insight and ownership. The transformative learning process supports deeper engagement beyond behaviorist models of remediation, warranting future research in structured applications of this framework.