Guide to Reflection

The governing bodies of most healthcare professional groups require healthcare professionals to record continuing professional development (CPD) and be able to provide detailed records to submit as part of the revalidation/accreditation process for the relevant profession.
Many of the governing bodies include the need to demonstrate different types of development and learning including reflective practice. Each governing body describes reflective practice differently but the principles of reflection are the same; for healthcare professionals to be self aware and critically evaluate their own responses to practice situations. The aim is to critically review one’s own responses to the way things are done and the care that is delivered in order to gain new understanding and so improve future practice. This is part of the process of lifelong learning.  This short guide aims to demystify reflective practice and provide some simple tips on how to undertake it in the primary care setting.