The advanced scrub practitioner role: a student's reflection

This article will reflect on my experiences in becoming an advanced scrub practitioner (ASP), using a reflective model to support the structure. Since Dewey's simple claim (1938, cited by Rolfe 2001) that 'we learn by doing and realising what came of what we did', many other authors have advocated and adapted this mantra (Rogers 1983 cited by Rolfe 2001, Gibbs 1988). A reflective model enables learning whilst utilising experiential knowledge from previous reflections (Rolfe 2001). Using Gibbs' reflective model this article reflects and evaluates the experience of becoming an ASP looking at both positive and negative issues, benefits to patients, colleagues and the organisation I work within. It examines issues of accountability and concludes by asking the question 'what next?'