Continuing Professional Development: Becoming a reflective practictioner: a framework for paramedics

Abstract

Overview Reflective practice has gained the momentum of a runaway freight train among ambulance practitioners. The benefits of engaging in such an activity are now widely known and are recognized for playing a key role in professional development among prehospital professionals. Writing a reflective practice account for the first time can appear daunting and off-putting but with a little help and plenty of practice practitioners will be able to reap the benefits of reflective practice in no time at all. A variety of frameworks are available to guide the ambulance practitioner through this process and choosing the correct model of reflection could be argued as being the single most important first step when engaging in reflective practice. This module provides an opportunity to identify the origins of reflective practice and to explore the popular paradigm as it exists today. The ‘reflection’ activities will allow the user to gain experience undertaking a reflective account following one of the three profession specific frameworks. Learning Outcomes After completing this module you will be able to: ▪ Appreciate the historical origins of contemporary reflective practice ▪ Discuss the benefits of undertaking reflective practice ▪ Complete a reflective practice account using Model 1 by Willis (2010) ▪ Recognize the importance of ethical health care practice.