Reflective Writing: A Potential Tool to Improve Interprofessional Teamwork with Radiologists

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Radiology
• Interprofessional Collaboration

Background:

• Interprofessional collaboration challenges, particularly in radiology, can negatively impact patient outcomes.
• Technological advancements have reduced direct communication between radiologists and referring physicians.
• Critical reflection has not been previously studied as an intervention to improve interprofessional teamwork.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate reflective journaling as an intervention to enhance understanding of roles within interprofessional teams.
• To assess the impact of reflective writing on interprofessional collaboration between radiologists and other physicians.

Main Methods:

• A reflective journaling assignment was implemented in a fourth-year medical student general radiology elective.
• Journal content was analyzed for the percentage of reflective comments versus recounting events.
• An established measurement tool categorized content as "reflection," and themes were identified.

Main Results:

• Analysis included 31 journals (178 entries, 26,749 words).
• Reflective content constituted 43% of the total journal entries.
• Key themes included insights into ordering physician roles (20%), radiologist roles (12%), and improving collaboration (11%).

Conclusions:

• Reflective writing enables medical students to explore their roles and responsibilities within interprofessional teams.
• This method shows potential for improving interprofessional teamwork between students and radiologists.