Using reflective practice for personal development planning

Objectives

GDC development outcome B and D

Reflection and reflective practice are ways of thinking and feeling about an event or an experience that can be developed by an individual to steer learning and enhance continuing professional development and professional practice (Ghaye & Lillyman, 2010). A personal development plan can be an outcome of reflection and reflective practice.

Reflection is reviewing and analysing an event or experience to arrive at a deeper understanding of it. In healthcare we use this way of thinking to improve upon our own personal performance which ultimately contributes to better patient care (Ghaye & Lillyman, 2010). Reflective thinking is personal and empowering and not self-indulgent (McMillan & Weyers (2013).