Clinical Reflection: a vital process for supporting the development of wisdom in doctors

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review explores in detail the practice of reflection and its importance for doctors. It offers a definition of and a framework for both oral and written Clinical Reflection. It presents a thorough and detailed explanation of Clinical Reflection, its meaning, purpose, and processes and provides an illustrative case example from critical care.

Recent findings: Detailed reflection about clinical practice is now demanded by all postgraduate medical curricula and is beginning to be a requirement for annual appraisal. Doctors have been slow to develop reflective practice for themselves, tending to adopt methods from other healthcare professionals, because there is little in print to guide this process in relation to medical practice.

Summary: Clinical Reflection offers doctors a powerful way of supporting their professional development and providing evidence of their practical wisdom as expressed by Aristotle. It is time that an appropriate understanding of what reflection can offer doctors is explored more generally among the profession.