With Family Medicine (FM) receiving greater recognition as a medical specialty, the professional identity of Family Physicians (FPs) has never been more critical. Professional identity formation (PIF) is the developmental process through which physicians internalise the values, roles, and purpose of their discipline, shaping how they think, act, and feel as professionals. A strong professional identity has been linked to enhanced meaning in work and reduced risk of burnout as well as increased propensity for innovation and collaboration—important underpinnings for a resilient and future-ready primary care system. Conversely, weak or fragmented identity formation may undermine role clarity, professional fulfilment and talent retention.

This symposium will delve deeper into why PIF is an important ingredient for the continued growth of FM in Singapore, and how it can be intentionally nurtured. We will examine conceptual frameworks for PIF. Facilitators, barriers, threats and opportunities for PIF will also be explored, including those unique to FM. Drawing on both international health professions education literature and emerging local data and local experience, the symposium will also discuss strategies to actively cultivate professional identity at individual, institutional, and system levels.

Lastly, this symposium also calls on FM educators and leaders to support the formation of strong professional identities in future generations of FM practitioners. By making PIF an explicit rather than implicit element of postgraduate training, we can strengthen the individual and collective FM professional identity, enhancing innovation, integration, and long-term impact on population health outcomes.