Reflective practice is a mandatory part of the STP curriculum. As a result, there has been significant demand from trainees and trainers for guidance on how to develop this important skill.
To support trainees and trainers in reflective practice, we have developed a range of resources and guidance.
Module 1: An introduction to reflection and reflective practice
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Identify a clear definition of reflection and reflective practice within the context of our philosophy.
- Justify the importance of reflection for learning and development, for the individual and the sector as a whole.
- Examine the impact of values on our actions.
- Explore models of reflection and their purpose as a tool to aid reflection.
Module 2: Developing and facilitating reflection and reflective practice
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Explore the potential focus for reflection and reflective practice.
- Analyse the quality of reflection.
- Challenge common misconceptions with regards to reflective practice.
- Critically examine to what extent there is a culture conducive to developing the emerging reflective practitioner.
- Justify ways forward in developing a reflective culture.
General guidance for reflecting for different types of training activity
We have developed general guidance to support reflection for each of the different types of training activity:
Observational Training Activities (OTAs)
View the general guidance for OTAs in the NHS Learning Hub
Developmental Training Activities (DTAs)
View the general guidance for DTAs in the NHS Learning Hub
Entrustable Training Activities (ETAs)
View the general guidance for ETAs in the NHS Learning Hub
This guidance is based upon the 4-dimensional model of reflection. This model involves reflecting before, in, on and beyond action. The following animation explains this model.
Reflective practice guidance in the Curriculum Library
For each entrustable training activity (ETA) and each developmental training activity (DTA) in the Curriculum Library, you can view a set of reflective practice guidance. The reflective practice guidance is structured using the 4-dimensional model of reflection.
For guidance on how to use this in practice, watch the recording of the webinar ‘Reflective practice guidance for the STP curriculum’ in the Sharing Good Practice catalogue.
Other resources available related to reflective practice
Sharing Good Practice
In the Sharing Good Practice catalogue you will find a range of recordings and presentations from trainees and trainers on a range of topics. Included in this are a number of talks related to reflective practice, including how to assess it as part of work-based training.
Explore the Sharing Good Practice catalogue
NHS Learning Hub
Resources for trainees
- Undertaking Observational Training Activities (OTAs)
- Undertaking S-C1 Professional Foundations of Healthcare and Clinical Science (STP)
- Undertaking S-C4 Individual Professional Development
- Undertaking specialist modules in the STP
Resources for trainers
- Supporting and assessing Observational Training Activities (OTAs)
- Supporting and assessing S-C1 Professional Foundations of Healthcare and Clinical Science (STP)
- Supporting trainees with S-C4 Individual Professional Development
- Supporting trainees with developing evidence for specialist training activities in the STP