Reflection in Practice

making

Practice-Based
Learning
work

Reflection on
PRACTICE

A resource commissioned by the Making Practice
Based Learning Work project, an educational development project funded through FDTL Phase 4
Project Number 174/02 and produced by staff from the
University of Ulster.

www.practicebasedlearning.org

Author

Patricia McClure

School of Health Sciences, University of Ulster

www.practicebasedlearning.org

contents
Reflection on Practice

02

The Role of Reflective Practice

03

Time for Reflection

05

Pre-requisites for Effective Reflection and Supervision

09

The Process of a Supervision Session

11

Adopting a Mentoring Approach

12

Tensions and Anxieties in Practice Placement
Learning for Students & Practice Educators

15

Appendix 1

16

Appendix 2

17

References

18

Reflection on Practice

Introduction

01

REFLECTION ON PRACTICE
Introduction

This resource tool has been devised to;
• inform practice educators about the importance of reflective practice
• prepare practice educators for their role as facilitators in students/learners’ development of reflective practice skills
• identify strategies to facilitate students/learners’ to reflect during supervision sessions
• provide guidelines for the use of reflective diaries during practice placements.

www.practicebasedlearning.org

REFLECTION ON PRACTICE
The Role of Reflective Practice

The general aim of all placements is to promote clinical reasoning and analytical and evaluative abilities in students through reflective practice. Professional bodies incorporate the benefits of applying reflective practice for both students and health professionals in their learning strategies. The importance of developing professional practice and of the role of supervision to ensure high quality standards of care is emphasised in such documents as ”A Vision for the
Future” (Department of Health 1993).
Reflective

References: Tryssenaar J (1999) Interactive journals: an educational strategy to promote reflection Zubrizarreta J (1999) Teaching portfolios: an effective strategy for faculty development in occupational therapy. Ghaye T & Lillyman S (1997) Learning Journals & Critical Reflective practice for Healthcare professionals, Mark Allen, Ghaye T & Lillyman S (2000) Reflection: Principles and Practice for Healthcare Professionals Jasper M (2003) beginning Reflective Practice. Nelson Thornes, Cheltenham. Moon J (1999) Reflection in Learning & Professional Development Moon J (1999) learning Journals: A Handbook for Academics, Students and Professional Development. Redmond B (2004) reflection in Action: Developing reflective practice in health and social care services. Rolfe G Freshwater D Jasper M (2001) Critical Reflection for Nursing and the Helping Professions: a user’s guide. Schon D (1983) The Reflective Practitioner. Basic Books, New York.