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Redefining Professionalism in Disability Services: Digital Transformation, Boundary Work, and Professional Capital in Frontline Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Title: Redefining Professionalism in Disability Services: Digital Transformation, Boundary Work, and Professional Capital in Frontline Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Language: English
Authors: Richard Gäddman Johansson (ORCID 0000-0002-7131-239X), Kristina Engwall
Source: Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities. 2026 39(1).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 11
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Definitions, Professionalism, Allied Health Personnel, Day Programs, Adults, Intellectual Disability, COVID-19, Pandemics, Social Services, Capital (Sociology), Professional Identity, Technology, Professional Development
DOI: 10.1111/jar.70196
ISSN: 1360-2322
1468-3148
Abstract: Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, frontline care workers in day centre services for adults with intellectual disabilities rapidly adapted their roles through use of digital technologies. This study examines how these developments shaped professional roles and identities. Method: The study draws on qualitative interviews with 14 frontline staff and 5 managers in day centres that shifted from on-site to remote services. Thematic analysis was guided by the concepts of boundary work and professional capital. Results: Digitalisation temporarily reshaped professional identity by enabling increased digital competence, peer collaboration, and creative agency. Staff experienced tensions between digitally mediated practices and values tied to co-presence, embodied interaction, and relational care. Conclusions: Digitalisation created both opportunities and strains in frontline care work. Sustaining constructive digital practices will require organisational support that recognises frontline workers' expertise, integrates digital competence with reflective professional development, and involves staff and service users in shaping how technologies are used.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1497857
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Redefining Professionalism in Disability Services: Digital Transformation, Boundary Work, and Professional Capital in Frontline Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Richard+Gäddman+Johansson%22">Richard Gäddman Johansson</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7131-239X">0000-0002-7131-239X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kristina+Engwall%22">Kristina Engwall</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Applied+Research+in+Intellectual+Disabilities%22"><i>Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities</i></searchLink>. 2026 39(1).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Definitions%22">Definitions</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professionalism%22">Professionalism</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Allied+Health+Personnel%22">Allied Health Personnel</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Day+Programs%22">Day Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adults%22">Adults</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intellectual+Disability%22">Intellectual Disability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22COVID-19%22">COVID-19</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Pandemics%22">Pandemics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Services%22">Social Services</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Capital+%28Sociology%29%22">Capital (Sociology)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professional+Identity%22">Professional Identity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Technology%22">Technology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professional+Development%22">Professional Development</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1111/jar.70196
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  Data: 1360-2322<br />1468-3148
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  Data: Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, frontline care workers in day centre services for adults with intellectual disabilities rapidly adapted their roles through use of digital technologies. This study examines how these developments shaped professional roles and identities. Method: The study draws on qualitative interviews with 14 frontline staff and 5 managers in day centres that shifted from on-site to remote services. Thematic analysis was guided by the concepts of boundary work and professional capital. Results: Digitalisation temporarily reshaped professional identity by enabling increased digital competence, peer collaboration, and creative agency. Staff experienced tensions between digitally mediated practices and values tied to co-presence, embodied interaction, and relational care. Conclusions: Digitalisation created both opportunities and strains in frontline care work. Sustaining constructive digital practices will require organisational support that recognises frontline workers' expertise, integrates digital competence with reflective professional development, and involves staff and service users in shaping how technologies are used.
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      – Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Definitions
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      – SubjectFull: Professionalism
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      – SubjectFull: Allied Health Personnel
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      – SubjectFull: Day Programs
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      – SubjectFull: Adults
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      – SubjectFull: Intellectual Disability
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      – SubjectFull: COVID-19
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      – SubjectFull: Pandemics
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      – SubjectFull: Social Services
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      – SubjectFull: Capital (Sociology)
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      – SubjectFull: Professional Identity
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      – TitleFull: Redefining Professionalism in Disability Services: Digital Transformation, Boundary Work, and Professional Capital in Frontline Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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