Reflection and Reflective Practice
Reflection is a wide-ranging term for a process that can take place informally over a coffee, or more formally in terms of a learning conversation or journal writing. It can be an internal process, or can take place with others in the workplace, or between friends and family. This module explores the uses reflection, in both individual and collaborative practice and its benefits not just in the training years but beyond into established professional practice. It looks at how reflection can be used as a professional support mechanism and to build resilience against stress.
There are multiple purposes of reflection:
- To develop or to consolidate practice;
- To provide reassurance or criticality;
- To improve performance or understanding;
- To enhance the quality of patient care;
- To provide understanding of and respite from the complex, demanding workplace.
By the end of this module you will have an enhanced understanding of the role of reflection in your professional life. You will have considered the principles of effective reflection and seen some of the benefits of deliberate reflective practice. You will have the opportunity to explore a simple system for reflection and to read about some of the uses it has had in the medical field.
The best way to develop your own reflective practice is to decide what use you will make of it, to consider a range of suggested approaches to reflection and to experiment with your own thoughts either individually or with trusted others.
This module
This module is structured into several areas of learning:
Examples: There are examples from the reflective practice of other clinicians for you to read through. These may be pieces of reflection or reflections upon the reflective process.
Thinking points: Thinking points ask you to stop and think about what you have just read, or about your own professional practice. It might help if you make notes on your thoughts for these parts of the module.
Try it: The ‘try it’ sections ask you to engage in a piece of writing or reflective practice to develop your strengths in these areas.
Before you start
Before you start the module we recommend that you spend a few minutes thinking about the following points and noting down some of your thoughts.
Thinking points
- How do you usually think about your clinical practice?
- Do you discuss with colleagues and friends or prefer to think about it on your own?
Credits
Author: Hayley Allan
Thank you: David Mendel, Catherine O'Keefe, Naila Kamal, John Launer, Alex Jamieson, Elizabeth Tissingh, Isabel Martin, Jocelyn Hewitt & Bobby Wilcox
