The dissertation presents justified conception of the research of professional growth of a
specialist in a field of physical rehabilitation, which is considered through the prism of
functioning of the structural and dynamic organizational paradigm «professionally
significant experience» – «professional reliability» – «professional authenticity» –
«professional uniqueness».
The conceptual model of the professional development of a specialist in a field of
physical rehabilitation was proposed. It includes the specialist’s readiness for providing
professional activity, a high level of his/her professional competence and professional
reflection, as well as professionally significant experience, professional reliability,
professional authenticity and professional uniqueness of the individual. The structure of
the professionally significant experience of a specialist in a field of physical rehabilitation
was proposed, the functional space of his/her experience was outlined. The components of
the professionally significant experience of a specialist in a field of physical rehabilitation
include: 1) valuable experience; 2) experience of reflecting one’s own professional
activity; 3) operating experience.
The model of the professional authenticity of a specialist in a field of physical
rehabilitation was developed. Its components and functions were separated, the levels of
functioning of these components were characterized.
The professional reliability of a specialist in a field of physical rehabilitation is
explained as a prerequisite for his/her successful professional development. A bifurcation
model of the professional reliability of a specialist in a field of physical rehabilitation was
constructed and the aspects of its explication were determined: a cognitive aspect; an
empathic aspect; a behavioral aspect; a socially-valuable aspect. It was established that
professional uniqueness was a neoplasm of the person, which met the needs of the
individual and was the most important condition for his/her development and vital wellbeing. Professional uniqueness contributes to the updating of the person’s subjectivity and
the maintenance of his/her mental health; it allows the person to adapt, to develop his/her
qualities and peculiarities and to be productive in all spheres of our life. Taking into
account theoretical and conceptual backgrounds of our research, the forms of professional
uniqueness were proposed: a narcissistic form, formalized one, an eclectic form, a
hedonistic one, a deontological form, a dramatic one, an ideal form, an illusory one, an
immanent form. The meaning of these forms was revealed.
Taking into account the results of our experimental research, a structural and functional
model of the professional growth of a specialist in a field of physical rehabilitation was
constructed, which includes the program of facilitation of his/her professional formation.
The latter consists of four blocks: the content-adaptation block, a projective-resource one,
the organizational-stimulating block and a reflexive-developmental one. In the process of
forming experiment it was confirmed the effectiveness of the program of facilitation of
professional growth of a specialist in a field of physical rehabilitation. The psychological
training «The formation of social intelligence, the development of professional reflection
and the formation of professional reliability of a future specialists» was developed and
tested during the forming experiment. It contains five blocks of exercises that actualize the
components of students’ social intelligence and, as a result, promote the development of
their professional reflection, as well as facilitate the formation of the professional
reliability of a future specialist in a field of physical rehabilitation.
On the basis of empirical research, professionally important qualities, abilities and
neoplasms of the person have been established, which should be formed according to
specialists in a field of physical rehabilitation for successful pursuit of their professional
activity. Psychological features, factors and conditions of the professional growth of a
specialist in a field of physical rehabilitation have been empirically investigated.
Key words: professional growth, professional activity, professionally significant
experience, professional reliability, professional authenticity, professional uniqueness.
