REFLECTION

Reflection

Reflection

Reflection

Reflective Practice

Reflective practice is associated with learning from experience, and is viewed as an important strategy for health professionals who embrace life long learning. The act of reflection is seen as a way of promoting the development of autonomous, (Hartman 2001) qualified and self-directed professionals. (Parham 1987) Engaging in reflective practice is associated with the improvement of the quality of care, stimulating personal and professional growth and closing the gap between theory and practice. (Hartman 2001)

The following examples of models of reflection and techniques for reflection are presented to give you a feeling of choice about the most appropriate strategies to use to encourage reflection on practice. In order to identify the most suitable style for you, (Hartman 2001)you may wish to discuss these reflective models and techniques with your academic advisor. (Hartman 2001)

There is an exercise following each model of reflection. They are spaced over several weeks to encourage you to familiarise yourself with each model presented.

Models of Reflection

The work of Platzer et al 1997 identified that learning through reflection is more potent if there is an understanding of frameworks that encourage a structural process to guide the act of reflection. Several models to help you engage in the process of reflection are now discussed. (Hartman 2001) There is no right one. It is important you choose the framework that feels most comfortable for you and best assists you in learning from your experiences. (Schon 1991) The most important aspect of engaging in reflective writing for work-based learning is that your writing is able to demonstrate a changed conceptual perspective. The process of reflective writing leads to more than just a gain in your knowledge it should also challenge the concepts and theories by which you make sense of knowledge(Hartman 2001) When you reflect on a situation you do not simply see more, you see differently. This different way of viewing a situation is reflected in statements about a commitment to action. Action is the final stage of reflection. (Alsop 2000) Sharing your reflective writing with your mentor / academic advisor will assist you in the process of revealing new perspectives. (Hartman 2001)

Gibbs Reflective Cycle

Gibbs (1988) reflective cycle is fairly straightforward and encourages a clear description of the situation, analysis of feelings, evaluation of the experience, analysis to make sense of the experience, conclusion where other options are considered and reflection upon experience to examine what you would do if the situation arose again. (Hartman 2001) This cycle can be used for your reflective writing, but if you are using it at level 3 or 4 you need to adjust the cycle so that analysis permeates through each stage.

Gibbs Reflective Cycle

Six stages of GIBBS Reflective Cycle

Stage 1: Description of the event

Describe in detail the event you are reflecting on. Include e.g. where were you; who else was there; why were you there; what were you doing; what were other people doing; what was the context of the event; what happened; (Hartman 2001) what was your part in this; what ...