PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release: Wednesday, 12 September 2018
MDDUS welcomes today’s publication of the new GMC guidance The reflective practitioner to support doctors and medical students with reflection.
The guidance, developed alongside the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC), the UK Conference of Postgraduate Medical Deans (COPMeD) and the Medical Schools Council (MSC), emphasises the importance of reflection for personal development and learning. It also highlights how reflection can help doctors and medical students to maintain and improve their professional practice, and drive improvements in patient safety.
Commenting on the new guidance, MDDUS Joint head of medical division Dr John Holden said:
“We warmly welcome this new GMC guidance that encompasses all the key aspects of reflection into one document. It should provide doctors and medical students with clearer direction and an understanding on how to implement reflective practice.
“Reflection is an essential part of helping a clinician’s self-development. Those who reflect on their everyday practice are considered to be insightful.
"MDDUS has advised its members for many years to engage in reflective practice. We believe that this raises standards, ensures doctors meet their regulatory obligations and can provide a degree of protection in the event of criticism of a doctor’s actions.
“We particularly welcome the document highlighting the importance of learning outcomes as the key aspect of reflective practice. Being able to learn through reflection is crucial to assisting doctors with education, training and development. We are reassured that the GMC will not use these reflective notes in order to investigate a concern.
“We would also like to remind members that they should contact us at the earliest opportunity if they are faced with any incident, claim or complaint. Reflection is not a substitute for reporting significant events or serious incidents.
“Doctors should also contact their medical defence organisation when a disclosure request of confidential patient information is received.”
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For further information contact Richard Hendry on 0333 0434444 or 07976 272266, or email rihendry@mddus.com.
Note to editors
MDDUS (The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland) is a medical and dental defence organisation providing access to professional indemnity and expert medico- and dento-legal advice for doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals throughout the UK.
This page was correct at the time of publication. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.