Prisoners of oath: Junior doctors’ professional identities during and after industrial action

This article examines the identity (re)work undertaken by junior doctors during doctors’ contract dispute of 2015–16 in National Health Service (NHS). A qualitative, longitudinal approach was used, consisting 31 interviews with 18 across two time periods. Findings show that strike represented a major threat to their professional identities, and action instigated significant for doctors. Furthermore, findings reveal three overlapping ‘identity alleviation’ strategies were constructed striking doctors: reluctant acceptance weak bargaining power due identities; subsequent reattachment normative values; focus on future careers. study effects ‘white collar’ industrial through lens identity, showing how medics employ as resource help them cope perceived assaults identity.