Introducing guided group reflective practice in an Irish palliative care unit

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Professional Development

Background:

• Limited literature exists on the practical organization and facilitation of reflective practice in healthcare settings.
• Reflective practice is crucial for professional growth but often lacks structured implementation.
• Palliative care nursing demands continuous learning and adaptation, making reflective practice essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the processes of introducing, facilitating, and evaluating a guided reflective practice project.
• To explore the challenges and collaborative aspects of implementing reflective practice in nursing.
• To understand nurses' perspectives on reflective practice, including diaries and group sessions.

Main Methods:

• A one-year guided reflective practice project involving eight palliative care nurses.
• Facilitation of reflective processes away from the clinical environment.
• Group evaluation of the project focusing on understanding, diary use, and group reflection.

Main Results:

• Participants gained fresh insights into their practice through guided reflection.
• The reflective diary was valued as a tool for personal and professional development.
• Guided group reflection fostered collaboration and shared learning among nurses.

Conclusions:

• Guided reflective practice offers a valuable method for enhancing palliative care nursing.
• Organizational support and structured facilitation are key to successful reflective practice implementation.
• Reflective processes provide a fundamental strategy for supporting nurses in quality palliative care.