Grounded theory—an illustration of an emergent methodology for physiotherapy research

the attributes associated with overseas physiotherapy professions identity. Transformation occurs through overseas professional development and experience of autonomous practice in autonomous contexts. Successful return to India is dependent upon returnees transferring and integrating their new professional identity back to the Indian physiotherapy context. If they are successful in importing their transformed identity and at reintegrating, they are in a strong position to share their knowledge, to influence practice and to transform the profession identity in India. Further research is required in this area. Conclusion(s): India’s significant healthcare needsmeans that it must utilise its health workforce resource effectively. India needs to understand this migration in order to stem the flow of out migration and to encourage it’s migrant physiotherapy workforce to return. This theory of Professional Identity Transformation provides a framework throughwhich this analysis may occur. Implications: The Indian physiotherapy leadership could utilise an understanding of the proposed theory of Professional Identity Transformation and the underpinning contextual influences to support their quest for autonomy and to inform policy to address the underlying issues that facilitate out and returnmigration. The findingsmay be considered in the context other developing countries that experience the out migration of physiotherapists. Indian physiotherapists considering migration may to reflect upon the theory to inform a greater self-awareness of their professional identity development.