An easy to use model of reflection

Making links between practical experiences, feelings and theory is an important part of the learning process and can result in enhancing professional practice over many years. An ideal way to make these links it to spend some time to reflect on your experiences, taking notice of the associated feelings and what these mean for you.

In Section 1, you were introduced to the Driscoll (2007) model of reflection (see appendix 1) which we use in this chapter to reflect on a variety of experiences from your practice placement.

First, refresh your knowledge on the Driscoll model:

Starting to understand why a certain situation may be challenging is an important step in ensuring you can respond effectively in the clinical environment. For example, a situation might be challenging because it has reminded you of a family situation, or because you did not feel supported by the staff you were working with or because you did not feel competent in performing a new skill. Once you can understand the feelings, you will be able to consolidate your actions for the next time you come across a similar situation.

Recognising a range of feelings is important. Being able to separate out the situation from the feelings is an essential part of developing to be a skilled practitioner. For example, a distressing situation might be supporting a family who are distressed when someone is dying. When reflecting back on this situation, you might find that while the situation was distressing, the associated feelings were really positive, since:

When you look to the third part of the model, what the experience means to you, the answer may be linked to:

Linking experiences and learning: learning to learn

We now take some time to reflect on your experiences within the practice placement. This gives you the opportunity to explore what you have experienced and start to make sense of some of the things that you might have learnt, linking theory to practice. It is essential that you consider your placement experiences alongside the theory you have acquired in school and critically analyse and evaluate the clinical experience, to ensure both your own and other healthcare professionals’ practice reflects contemporary research-based evidence.

This also gives you the chance to reflect on how you learn and what process works well for you to ensure you take positive strategies into your future practice. You are encouraged to refer back to Sections 1 and 2 to find answers to questions and to think using a problem-solving approach.

Making sense of experiences is crucial to your own developing professional practice. Learning from events, whether they are positive, challenging or disappointing, is a key step in being able to develop as a skilled and confident practitioner.

Having reflected on your experiences, you should have a good idea of where you are as a practitioner, enabling you to make an action plan of your future professional development. This process should not cease once you are qualified; you should continually and regularly take time to reflect on your experiences throughout your career, allowing you to keep abreast of changes in health care and to improve your professional performance.