5.2 Explain how reflective practice has led to improved ways of working

This guide will help you answer The RQF Level 3 Diploma in Care Unit 5.2 Explain how reflective practice has led to improved ways of working.

Reflective practice is a really important part of professional development in health and social care. It allows workers to think essentially about their actions and experiences. This, in turn, helps them to improve their ways of working. In this section, we will explore how reflective practice leads to better care and more effective services. Reflective practice is important because it helps workers to identify areas for improvement and to develop their skills and knowledge. By reflecting on their experiences, health and social care professionals can also gain insight into their own values and beliefs, which can impact their interactions with clients and colleagues. Overall, the reflective practice importance cannot be overstated in the field of health and social care, as it ultimately leads to better outcomes for those receiving care and support.

Awareness of Reflective Practice

Reflective practice involves thinking about and analysing your work experiences. It means looking back on situations to see what went well and what didn’t. There are several models to guide reflective practice, like Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle and Schön’s Reflective Model.

Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle

This model includes six stages: Description, Feelings, Evaluation, Analysis, Conclusion, and Action Plan. Each stage helps you look deeper into the experience, ensuring you cover all aspects.

Description

What happened?

Feelings

What were you thinking and feeling?

Evaluation

What was good and bad about the experience?

Analysis

What sense can you make of the situation?

Conclusion

What else could you have done?

Action Plan

If this situation arose again, what would you do?

Schön’s Reflective Model

Schön suggests two types of reflection: Reflection-on-action and Reflection-in-action.

Reflection-on-action

This happens after the event. You think about what occurred and how it can inform future practice.

Reflection-in-action

This happens during the event. You adjust your actions in the moment based on immediate feedback.

Improved Ways of Working Through Reflective Practice

Enhanced Self-Awareness

Reflective practice increases self-awareness. Understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you provide better care. You are more aware of how your actions affect others. This awareness leads to more thoughtful and compassionate care.

Better Decision-Making

Thinking essentially about past experiences improves your decision-making skills. Reflective practice allows you to evaluate different outcomes. You learn what works best in various situations. This analysis helps you make better-informed decisions in the future.

Continuous Professional Development

Reflective practice supports ongoing learning. When you reflect on your work, you identify areas for improvement. You can then seek out the necessary training or resources. This commitment to learning leads to better skills and knowledge.

Improved Problem-Solving Skills

Looking back on challenging situations helps improve problem-solving skills. You analyse what went wrong and what could be done differently. This better equips you to handle similar problems in the future.

Enhanced Communication

Reflective practice can improve your communication skills. By reflecting on interactions, you understand how to communicate more effectively. This includes better listening, clearer speaking, and more empathetic responses.

Improved Relationships with Clients

Reflective practice benefits the relationship between carers and clients. You become more attuned to clients’ needs and preferences. This fosters trust and respect, leading to better care outcomes.

Practical Examples of Reflective Practice Leading to Improved Ways of Working

Case Study 1: Medication Error

Situation

A care worker administers the wrong dosage of medication to a client.

Reflective Practice

The care worker reflects on the incident using Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle. They identify the mistake and the factors that led to it. They realise they were distracted and did not double-check the dosage.

Improved Practice

As a result, the care worker implements a new routine. They ensure all medications are double-checked before administration. This reduces the likelihood of future errors.

Case Study 2: Client Communication

Situation

A client felt unheard during a review meeting.

Reflective Practice

Using Schön’s Reflection-on-action, the care worker analyses the meeting. They recognise they spoke more than they listened. They did not give the client enough opportunities to express themselves.

Improved Practice

The care worker decides to adopt active listening techniques. They practice allowing clients more time to speak. Future meetings become more client-centred and effective.

Steps to Implement Reflective Practice

Keep a Reflective Journal

Write about your daily experiences at work. This helps you capture thoughts and feelings immediately. It is a useful tool for referring back during formal reflection sessions.

Regular Supervision

Supervision sessions provide an opportunity to reflect with a mentor or supervisor. They can offer a different perspective and guide your reflection process.

Peer Discussion

Discussing experiences with colleagues can offer new insights. It also provides support and shared learning.

Use Reflective Models

Choose a reflective model that suits you. Use it consistently to structure your reflections.

Action Plans

Always create an action plan after reflection. This ensures that you take concrete steps to improve your practice.

Example answers for unit 5.2 Explain how reflective practice has led to improved ways of working

Example 1: Enhanced Self-Awareness

Reflective practice has significantly improved my self-awareness. By regularly reflecting on my day-to-day activities, I’ve become more conscious of my strengths and areas that need improvement. For instance, after dealing with a challenging client who was dissatisfied with their care plan, I took time to reflect using Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle. I realised that I often rushed through explanations, leaving clients confused. As a result, I now take extra time to explain care plans slowly and clearly, ensuring patients fully understand, which has noticeably improved client satisfaction.

Example 2: Better Decision-Making

Reflective practice has also greatly enhanced my decision-making skills. After a particularly chaotic shift where multiple emergencies needed handling, I used Schön’s Reflection-on-action model. I identified that my decisions were sometimes reactive rather than proactive because I didn’t anticipate potential issues. I realised the importance of planning ahead and delegating tasks more effectively. With this newfound insight, I now proactively plan my shifts and assign tasks at the beginning, leading to a more organised and calm working environment.

Example 3: Continuous Professional Development

Through reflective practice, I have pinpointed areas for continuous professional development. One example is when I struggled to handle a client with advanced dementia. My reflection revealed a gap in my knowledge regarding dementia care techniques. I sought additional training on dementia care, which included understanding behavioural symptoms and how to manage them. This extra training made me more competent and confident when working with dementia clients, leading to a noticeable improvement in their wellbeing and my job satisfaction.

Example 4: Improved Problem-Solving Skills

Reflective practice has sharpened my problem-solving abilities. After facing difficulties with a client who refused to take their medication, I used reflective practice to understand the root cause. I realised that the client had anxiety about the medication’s side effects, information I could have gathered earlier if I had asked the right questions. I introduced a more empathetic communication style, starting by discussing their concerns openly before administering medications. This led to less resistance and improved medication adherence.

Example 5: Enhanced Communication

Improved communication is another key benefit I have gained from reflective practice. During a team meeting, I noticed that my suggestions often went unheard. Reflecting on this using Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle, I realised that my communication style was too passive and lacked clarity. I started practising assertiveness and concise communication techniques. At subsequent meetings, my contributions were clearer and more direct, resulting in better teamwork and the implementation of some of my suggestions, which improved our care processes.

Example 6: Improved Relationships with Clients

Reflective practice has helped me build better relationships with my clients. One client, in particular, expressed feeling neglected. Reflecting on my interactions with them, I realised I was often preoccupied with administrative tasks during our sessions. I altered my approach by dedicating uninterrupted time solely to the client. I listened more actively and engaged with them on a personal level. This shift in approach significantly strengthened our relationship, leading to a happier and more cooperative client, thereby improving their overall care experience.

Final Thoughts

Reflective practice is essential in health and social care. It promotes self-awareness, better decision-making, and continuous professional development. When workers regularly reflect on their actions, they improve their problem-solving and communication skills. This not only benefits the workers but also leads to better care for clients.

Implementing reflective practice through journals, supervision, peer discussions, and structured models can lead to significant improvements in ways of working. By committing to regular reflection, care workers can ensure they provide the best possible service to those they support.