Doctors discuss reflective practice with GMC

Published 27 April 2018

A group of doctors in training took an opportunity to discuss reflective practice with the GMC today (Friday 27 April), as part of the regulator’s work – in partnership with medical students, doctors, educators and medical leaders – to develop new guidance to support doctors.

The doctors gathered at the GMC’s London offices for the first of a series of workshops being held to seek views, from across the profession, as the guidance for reflective practice is developed.

"The importance of being a reflective practitioner is widely acknowledged, but we recognise that recent events have put the spotlight on the use of reflective notes. We know there is confusion and anxiety at the moment, but the new guidance will clarify the position and support doctors to feel more confident about reflective practice. "

Judith Chrystie

Assistant Director, GMC Education

The new guidance will be published later this year, and a range of stakeholders, including practising doctors, are being engaged to get as many views as possible.

Following today’s London workshop, similar events are planned in Edinburgh, Cardiff and in Belfast.

Judith Chrystie, an Assistant Director in the GMC’s education directorate, chaired the workshop. She said:

‘The importance of being a reflective practitioner is widely acknowledged, but we recognise that recent events have put the spotlight on the use of reflective notes. We know there is confusion and anxiety at the moment, but the new guidance will clarify the position and support doctors to feel more confident about reflective practice. 

‘This workshop, the first of several, was valuable in helping us understand what doctors need the new guidance to cover. With that in mind, it was hugely helpful to hear directly from doctors who are working on the front line.’

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