Ziebert C1, Macdermid J1
1University of Western Ontario, Physical Therapy, London, Canada
Background: Many practitioners experience complex, uncertain, and unique, clinical practice situations, which can be navigated with reflection. Little is known about the theoretical and pragmatic perspectives of reflection in physical therapy.
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the literature on reflection in physical therapy, and identify gaps in the literature.
Methods: CINAHL, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and PsycINFO were used to identify articles.
Studies were selected to describe 1) theoretical concepts related to reflection 2) examples of reflection 3) the use of reflection in clinical or educational contexts
Authors, year of publication, country of origin, publication type or source, methodology, conceptual approach including: terminology used, definition of terminology used, and practical approach including: theoretical underpinning, context of reflection/reflective practice and target group, guided the data extraction
Results: A total of 46 articles were reviewed spanning from 1992-2017, which included research studies, field articles, editorials, and a review article. Theoretical underpinnings of reflection were based on the thoughts of Donald Schön. Written approaches to reflection were most common and reflection was used to inform education, clinical practice and professional growth.
Conclusion(s): There is limited, but supportive, evidence that reflective approaches enhance physical therapy practice reasoning and professional growth.
Implications: More research on reflective is needed to determine the role and benefits of reflective practice.
Keywords: Reflective Practice, Clinical Decision-Making, Research
Funding acknowledgements: Joy MacDermid was supported by a CIHR Chair in Gender, Work and Health
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the literature on reflection in physical therapy, and identify gaps in the literature.
Methods: CINAHL, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and PsycINFO were used to identify articles.
Studies were selected to describe 1) theoretical concepts related to reflection 2) examples of reflection 3) the use of reflection in clinical or educational contexts
Authors, year of publication, country of origin, publication type or source, methodology, conceptual approach including: terminology used, definition of terminology used, and practical approach including: theoretical underpinning, context of reflection/reflective practice and target group, guided the data extraction
Results: A total of 46 articles were reviewed spanning from 1992-2017, which included research studies, field articles, editorials, and a review article. Theoretical underpinnings of reflection were based on the thoughts of Donald Schön. Written approaches to reflection were most common and reflection was used to inform education, clinical practice and professional growth.
Conclusion(s): There is limited, but supportive, evidence that reflective approaches enhance physical therapy practice reasoning and professional growth.
Implications: More research on reflective is needed to determine the role and benefits of reflective practice.
Keywords: Reflective Practice, Clinical Decision-Making, Research
Funding acknowledgements: Joy MacDermid was supported by a CIHR Chair in Gender, Work and Health
Topic: Professional issues
Ethics approval required: No
Institution: n/a people involved
Ethics committee: uwo
Reason not required: no people involved
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
