QUESTION: how common is honesty in critical reflection essays?
METHODS: Third year physiotherapy students who completed reflective essays on clinical encounters participated in an anonymous online survey.
RESULTS: 34 students participated. 68 % stated that they were at least 80 % truthful about their experiences. Students questioned the belief that the reflection needed to be based on a factual experience.
CONCLUSION: the researchers maintain that reflective practice is a valuable part of the clinical education of health professionals, but that this value can be diminished through dishonest reflections. In order to get honest reflective essays, it is important to design grading criteria that encourages honesty. Students must also be taught the importance of honest reflection, and how to engage in honest, critical reflection.
Adv Health Sci Educ Theory Pract. 2013 Oct;18(4):617-26
METHODS: Third year physiotherapy students who completed reflective essays on clinical encounters participated in an anonymous online survey.
RESULTS: 34 students participated. 68 % stated that they were at least 80 % truthful about their experiences. Students questioned the belief that the reflection needed to be based on a factual experience.
CONCLUSION: the researchers maintain that reflective practice is a valuable part of the clinical education of health professionals, but that this value can be diminished through dishonest reflections. In order to get honest reflective essays, it is important to design grading criteria that encourages honesty. Students must also be taught the importance of honest reflection, and how to engage in honest, critical reflection.
Adv Health Sci Educ Theory Pract. 2013 Oct;18(4):617-26
