A 1,500 (+/- 10%) word reflection to demonstrate

This is the Introduction to the reflection. What happened?

The reader needs to understand the situation.

Make it clear what you are reflecting on –

How you participated in an infection control procedure to maintain the wellbeing of one of your patients. Make it clear what specifically you are reflecting on.

This is descriptive content so needs to be clear and  concise. Do  remember confidentiality.

NB: There is no need to tell the reader you are using Gibb’s model of reflection and why. We have asked you to use this.

Thoughts 5%

• What were you  thinking at the time and afterwards.

View the situation from others perspectives? What might your patient have been thinking?

How did these thoughts influence your practice?

Feelings  5%

• Self awareness and the ability to empathise. What do you think your patient might have been feeling? How were you feeling?
• Feelings are emotions – sad, happy, worried or angry etc. Not the same as thoughts.
• How did these influence the care you gave?

Evaluation 10%

• Making judgments
• Objective or subjective?
• Fact or opinion?

Here you make a judgment on whether this episode of care went as planned. To make this a mixture of objectivity and subjectivity you should include evidence or a reference to support you points. Tell the reader!

Analysis 40% 

• This is a very important part of the reflection as it allows you to examine your practice and look at the episode of care questioning why you did what you did and why it was important. You need to demonstrate reasoning and not tell a story.  So what?
• You need to read around the subject and support the points you make with evidence/references.
• Remind yourself of what you are analysing. Deep not wide.
• During your reading you may find alternatives or better practice – this will be useful for your reframe and supporting your knowledge and confidence in practice.