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Updated reflective practice guide published

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PCRS-UK has published an updated Guide to Reflective Practice.  Suitable for all healthcare professionals, this document is designed to support your professional development by guiding you through the different forms of reflective practice.

Reflective practice is an important component of continuing professional development and the governing bodies of most professional groups require their members to submit detailed records as part of the revalidation/accreditation process.

The document explains the principles of reflection; the process by which healthcare professionals can  critically evaluate their own responses to the way things are done and the care that is delivered in order to gain new understanding and improve future practice. This is part of the process of lifelong learning.

The process can allow you to improve your critical thinking, challenge your approaches to patient care, promote self-awareness and improve your communication skills.

The guide sets out some simple tips on how to undertake critical reflection in practice, giving suggested areas for reflection and specific examples of reflective practice you can undertake.

The examples include:

  • How to reflect on the patient experience
  • How to reflect on patient feedback of a clinic environment
  • How to reflect on peer feedback
  • How to reflect on learning and sharing knowledge with your team

There is also specific information for GPs about good practice in recording information in the e-portfolio and for nurses regarding the NMC guidance on reflection.

Carol Stonham, PCRS-UK Nurse Lead says: ‘Reflection on events of the day is a normal part of most of our lives but formal reflection on practice often seems something separate and detached. It is an important part of personal and professional development, a requirement of most professional bodies, and a great way to structure critical thinking and self awareness. The PCRS-UK guide makes the process easy, practical and relevant to practice.’

The document can be accessed HERE