Development and pilot testing of a reflective learning guide for medical education

BACKGROUND: Reflection is increasingly incorporated into all levels of medical education but little is known about best practices for teaching and learning reflection. AIMS: To develop a literature-based reflective learning guide for medical education and conduct a pilot study to determine whether (1) guide use enhances medical students' reflective writing skills and (2) reflective scores correlate with participant demographics and satisfaction. METHODS: Guide development consisted of literature review, needs assessment, single institution survey, and educational leader consensus. The pilot cohort study compared professionalism reflections written with and without the guide by third-year medical students on their core obstetrics and gynecology rotation. Reflections were scored using a previously validated rubric. A demographics and satisfaction survey examined effects of gender and satisfaction, as well as qualitative analysis of optional written comments. Analyses used independent t-tests and Pearson's correlations. RESULTS: We developed a two-page, literature-based guide in clinical Subjective-Objective-Assessment-Plan (SOAP) note format. There was a statistically significant difference, p < 0.001, in the reflection scores between groups, but no effects of gender or satisfaction. Student satisfaction with the guide varied widely. CONCLUSIONS: A single exposure to a literature-based guide to reflective learning improved written reflections by third-year medical students.