Encouraging reflection: Do professional development workshops increase the skill level and use of reflection in practice?

Abstract

Reflection is a way of evaluating best practice and challenging existing norms, while at the same time, considering one's personal values and assumptions in our personal and professional lives. However, many health practitioners may lack the skills to do this effectively. Through participation in a series of three workshops, practitioners in the Radiation Medicine Program at Princess Margaret Hospital have learned and acquired new skills to encourage reflection and reflective practice in themselves, their colleagues as well as with their students. A pre-and post-course survey was used to ascertain their level of knowledge of reflection and reflective practice. An additional survey at 3 months assessed the frequency of use and ongoing comfort level with reflective practice. Results of the evaluation indicate that the participants' knowledge of reflective practice has improved their understanding of reflection in clincal practice. They recognize the importance of reflection and anticipate increasing their use of reflection in/on practice. As well, participants have been able to sustain the positive momentum 3 months after the course was delivered.

Reflective Practice and Its Implications for Pharmacy Education

“…However, reflective practices have shortcomings as well as strengths. While reflective practice enhances the development of competent, self-directed, lifelong learning, [4][5][6][7][8] mentoring, 9 professional development 7,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] critical evaluation, [19][20][21] and problem-solving strategies, [22][23][24] there is limited published literature on the use of reflective practice in pharmacy education or practice. 4,[24][25][26][27] Reflective practices have been used to educate doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and other allied health students in higher education, 5,19,23,[28][29][30][31][32][33] to assist in bridging the gap between theory and practice.…”

Learning styles and approaches: Can reflective strategies encourage deep learning?

“…Therefore, reflection can assist with bridging the gap, integrating pharmaceutical knowledge with complexities of pharmacy practice. 12,62,[122][123][124][125][126][127] The development of these skills is essential for today's pharmacy student given the complexities of clinical practice. 73 Aligning learning outcomes with reflective processes by introducing a component of reflection in assessment will encourage those who adopt a surface or strategic approach to learning to change to a deeper learning approach.…”

Using Reflective Writing as a Predictor of Academic Success in Different Assessment Formats

“…1,7,18,20,25,[32][33][34] Health professions are now insisting on students developing reflective-writing abilities to document continuing professional development and competencies. 1,35 Despite the importance placed on reflective-writing skill development in health professional education, some researchers report "tension" between what students will write as an honest reflection and what they will write if a grade is associated with the task. This was illustrated in a Belgian study that investigated the perceptions of 142 midwifery students toward completing reflective writing exercises during their clinical training sessions.…”