Reflective writing Jill Wilson September 2009

From Samuel Johnsons dictionary (born 18th September 1709 - 300 yrs ago today) Reflective: Considering things past Practice Habit, use, dexterity

Reflective Practice “….those intellectual and affective activities in which individuals engage to explore their experiences in order to lead to new understandings and appreciations”. (Boud et al., 1985)

Gibbs Reflective Cycle

Reflective Writing: role and functions • To maximise the effectiveness of experiential learning • To evaluate one’s practice • To promote critical thinking • To facilitate the integration of theory with practice • To generate theory • To evaluate a learning activity • To demonstrate that learning has taken place

Reflective writing: description • What were the significant background factors to this experience? • Describe the experience – Sequence of events – Actions – Observations • What essential factors contributed to the experience?

Reflective Writing: analysis • What were the consequences of my actions? • How do I feel about the experience? • What factors influenced my decision and actions? • What knowledge influenced my decision and actions?

Reflective Writing: evaluation What went well; what went badly? Could I have dealt better with the situation? What other choices did I have? What would have been the consequences of acting on these other choices?

Reflective Writing: new perspectives • What have I learnt from this experience? • How has this experience affected my thinking?

Reflective Writing: integration • How does what has been learnt by the experience relate to theories and concepts already held? • What research is indicated and what relevance may this have?

Reflective Writing: action plan How should I change my practice? Behaviour Standards, procedures • Should I suggest changes in policy? • What constraints may exist? Review changes and their effects!

Task 1 Read the description of a series of clinical encounters with a patient written by a GP Identify (mark the sheet) 3 or 4 places where you think the writer could have reflected upon the experience Choose one of these and make some notes on the kind of things they could have written

Task 2 Now read the reflection on the same series of clinical encounters Underline in red examples where the writer has included reactions or feelings Underline in blue examples where the writer has analysed or evaluated the experience Underline in green examples where the writer has suggested plans for learning as a result of the experience

In conclusion Personal action plans What will you do differently in this type of situation next time Read, Research, Apply

Want to read more? Guide to reflective writing Pdf from KSS Deanery Reflective practice, writing and professional development Gillie Bolton