I very much appreciate the article by Harris and colleges flagging up the topic of reflection in NHS appraisal and the negative experience and feedback on reflective writing.1 Reflective practice is an essential activity for healthcare professionals and should be an integral part of all aspects of healthcare delivery, as it aids the development of professionalism by facilitating lifelong learning and can reduce diagnostic errors.2 Reflective writing can help to process emotions, improve mood, prevent burnout, and improve the patient’s care.3 Clinical reflection is not developed spontaneously and therefore is an essential part of the curriculum development.4
Unfortunately, despite being part of the undergraduate education, some students perceive reflective writing as irrelevant or even a nuisance or a waste of time. Reflection and reflective writing are clinical-relevant skills, and their practice can help with becoming a better physician. Clinical reflection shouldn’t merely be reduced to a tick-box exercise, but progress to a powerful tool, which can be individualised by the user to connect up-to-date learning and teaching methods.5 Further studies are needed in order to evaluate the effect of different educational strategies and supportive tools to promote its development and prevent reflection fatigue.6
- © British Journal of General Practice 2018
