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On reflection in action: unaddressed issues in refocusing the debate on reflective practice
1Ashford Community Hospital Incorporated, University of South Australia, Australia.
International Journal of Nursing Practice
|December 9, 1998
Summary
Reflective practice in nursing may be limited. This study argues that nurses cannot fully reflect on all practice aspects due to consciousness limitations, impacting nursing quality.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Philosophy of Practice
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Reflective practice is a key concept for improving nursing.
- Assumptions underpinning reflective practice lack critical examination.
- Previous work suggests considering the limits of reflection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically examine the scope and depth of reflective practice in nursing.
- To analyze the concept of 'reflection in action' as proposed by Clarke, James & Kelly.
- To explore the limitations of consciousness in representing and reflecting on nursing practice.
Main Methods:
- Philosophical analysis of reflective practice.
- Critique of assumptions regarding consciousness and representation in practice.
- Argumentation based on cognitive and representational limitations.
Main Results:
- Nurses cannot be fully conscious of all practice aspects; some are beyond representation.
- Representations of practice in consciousness are inherently imperfect.
- Internal dialogues, even if reflective, are 'overdetermined', limiting true reflexivity.
Conclusions:
- The depth and scope of reflective practice in nursing are constrained by cognitive and representational limits.
- Current models of reflective practice may overstate the potential for conscious self-examination.
- Further consideration of reflexivity is needed in nursing education and practice development.