What is the Atkins and Murphy’s Model of Reflection?

Reflection is an essential part of learning and personal development, particularly in health and social care. It allows individuals to evaluate their experiences and improve their professional practice. Atkins and Murphy’s Model of Reflection is one highly regarded approach that guides practitioners in the reflection process. This model is particularly useful because it encourages essential thinking and a deeper understanding of one’s actions and experiences.

Origin and Purpose

Who are Atkins and Murphy?

Sue Atkins and Kathy Murphy developed their model in the 1990s. Their work aimed to enhance reflective practice among health and social care professionals. Both researchers recognised the need for a structured method of reflection that could lead to genuine personal and professional growth.

Why is Reflection Important?

Reflection helps people learn from their experiences. By examining what they did well and what they could improve, individuals can enhance their skills and knowledge. This is especially important in health and social care, where professionals face complex situations. Reflection helps maintain and improve the quality of care provided to patients.

The Structure of Atkins and Murphy’s Model

The model comprises several stages that guide the reflective process. It provides a framework to analyse experiences systematically and learn from them. One of the key components of the model is the Brookfield four lenses reflective model, which encourages individuals to consider experiences from different perspectives, including their own, those of others, and the broader social and cultural context. By using this model, individuals can gain deeper insights into their experiences and identify areas for personal and professional growth. Ultimately, the model helps individuals become more self-aware and reflective practitioners in their respective fields.

Stage 1: Awareness of Uncomfortable Feelings and Thoughts

This stage involves recognising when something doesn’t feel right. These feelings are a signal that an experience requires attention. Health and social care professionals often experience discomfort when there is a mismatch between expectations and reality. This discomfort is an important trigger for reflection.

Stage 2: Description of the Situation

At this point, the individual describes the situation without making judgments. The focus is just on what happened. This factual recounting ensures that the reflective process is based on actual events. Evidence and details are essential in this stage, as they provide the foundation for deeper analysis in later stages.

Stage 3: Analysis of Feelings and Knowledge

This stage involves a deeper examination of feelings. Individuals explore why they felt a certain way and identify the emotions involved. They also consider the knowledge they possessed at the time. This is essential for understanding personal reactions and identifying areas where additional knowledge might be needed.

Stage 4: Evaluation

In this part of the process, individuals assess the experience’s good and bad aspects. It involves identifying what worked well and what didn’t. Critical thinking is key here. It helps in understanding the effectiveness of actions taken during the experience.

Stage 5: Analysis to Make Sense of the Experience

Here, the focus shifts to interpreting the experience. Individuals analyse why things happened the way they did. This requires linking theory to practice and questioning assumptions. It also involves recognising any biases that might have influenced the situation.

Stage 6: Conclusion

The conclusion stage involves summarising what has been learned. It includes understanding what could have been done differently and recognising what knowledge was gained. This stage helps solidify learning and prepare for future situations.

Stage 7: Personal Action Plan

Finally, individuals develop an action plan for future behaviour. This plan should incorporate the insights and learning developed throughout the reflection. It serves as a guide for applying new understanding in similar future situations.

Practical Applications

Use in Health and Social Care

Atkins and Murphy’s Model is particularly relevant to health and social care professionals. They face complex cases that require constant learning and adaptation. The model encourages deliberate reflection, helping practitioners deliver better care.

Advantages of the Model

• Clarity and Structure: It provides a clear framework to structure reflections. This ensures that all important aspects of an experience are considered.
• Enhanced Learning: By breaking down experiences into stages, the model promotes comprehensive learning and insight.
• Focus on Emotions: Recognising and analysing emotions is essential in health and social care. This model helps professionals understand their emotional responses better.
• Improved Decision-Making: The model helps improve decision-making skills by encouraging essential evaluation of past actions.

Example of Application

Consider a scenario in which a nurse encounters a challenging interaction with a patient. The nurse can use Atkins and Murphy’s Model to reflect on the experience:

1. Awareness: The nurse feels uneasy after the interaction.
2. Description: The nurse recounts the interaction factually.
3. Analysis of Feelings and Knowledge: The nurse examines personal feelings and the knowledge applied in the situation.
4. Evaluation: The nurse considers what aspects of the interaction were positive or negative.
5. Analysis: The nurse reflects on why the interaction unfolded as it did and considers any assumptions made.
6. Conclusion: The nurse summarises what was learned.
7. Action Plan: The nurse develops methods to improve future interactions with similar patients.

Issues in Using the Model

Time Constraints

Health and social care settings are often fast-paced. Practitioners may struggle to find time for reflection. Developing a routine practice of reflection can address this challenge. Even brief, structured reflections can provide insights and aid professional development.

Emotional Difficulty

Reflecting on difficult experiences can be emotionally taxing. Practitioners might find confronting emotions challenging. Support and guidance from mentors or peers can ease this process.

Risk of Over-Analysis

There is a risk of excessive analysis, leading to overthinking. It is important to balance reflection with action. Practitioners should aim for reflections that provide clear, actionable insights.

Tips for Effective Reflection

1. Set Aside Regular Time: Make reflection a habit by setting aside dedicated time each day or week.
2. Seek Feedback: Discuss reflections with colleagues or mentors for additional perspectives.
3. Use Reflection Tools: Journals or reflection sheets can help structure the process.
4. Stay Open-Minded: Be open to discovering new insights and challenging existing beliefs.
5. Focus on Learning: Remember that the goal is to learn and improve, not to criticise yourself harshly.

Final Thoughts

Atkins and Murphy’s Model of Reflection is an invaluable tool for professionals in health and social care. It provides a structured way to reflect on experiences and learn from them, enhancing both personal and professional development. By understanding and applying this model, practitioners can improve their practice and provide better care.

This approach helps individuals actively engage with their experiences, understand their actions, and develop strategies for improvement. Reflection, as facilitated by this model, becomes an essential part of lifelong learning and professional growth in the health and social care fields.