Using Pensieve: Guiding and Evaluating a Learning Session on Reflections.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Professional Development

Background:

• Reflective practice is crucial for medical professionals.
• Developing reflective writing skills is essential for continuous learning and improved patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To guide medical students in reflective essay writing.
• To evaluate the impact of a structured learning session on students' understanding of reflective practice.
• To explore the significance of reflection in professional behavior modification.

Main Methods:

• A 1.5-hour learning session based on Gagne's nine events of instruction was designed for final-year MBBS students.
• A pre-test and post-test questionnaire evaluated the session's effectiveness.
• Student self-scoring of reflective essays was used to categorize reflection levels.

Main Results:

• The learning session significantly improved students' understanding of reflective practice's role in professional development (p <0.001).
• Post-intervention, 60% of students demonstrated critical reflection, 30% reflection, and 10% non-reflection.
• Five out of nine questionnaire items showed statistically significant improvements.

Conclusions:

• The designed learning session effectively enhanced medical students' comprehension and application of reflective practice.
• This educational approach positively impacts students' ability to modify future behavior and become better professionals.
• Reflective writing is a valuable tool for medical education assessment and professional growth.