REFLECTIVE PRACTICE
NAME
: QISTINA ZULAIKHA BINTI HELMI
MATRIX NO
: DNU17091113
BATCH
: SEPT 2017
PROGRAMME
: DIPLOMA IN NURSING
LECTURE NAME
: MADAM MANIMAGALAI KRISHNAN
SUBJECT
: PERSONAL & PROFESIONAL DEVELOPMENT
SUBJECT CODE
: NURB 6042
CONTENTS
NO.
TOPIC
PAGES
1
Introduction
3
2
Reflective Cycle
4-5
3
Summary
6
4
References
7
INTRODUCTION
Firstly, I would like to introduce myself before I begin with the objective of this
assignment. Im a student nurse that is currently in my final year in my Diploma. I have
join Nursing on September 2017 in a Private University. Throughout my three years of
studies in Diploma of Nursing I have gained a lot of knowledge, skills and experiences.
My clinical placement was placed at one of the top known and very active Hospital in
Malaysia which is Hospital of Kuala Lumpur. Hence, I had the oppurtinities to be able
to access in different fields during my clinical practice such as medical, surgical and
specialised area such as Orthopedic ward.
The objective of this assignment is to reflect on clinical experience in relation to
integration of theory, practice and engage in a process of continuous learning.
Relflection cycle is a a motivation that was suggested by Bulman, Lathlean, & Gobbi
(2011). Reflection is a professional motivator to “move on and do better within
practice” with the goal of learning from experiences and examining oneself (Bulman,
Lathlean, & Gobbi, 2011). To reflect on my clinal practice experience I have choosen
to exhibit my experiences using Gibbs Reflective Cycle (1988). This is due to the fact
that Gibbs's reflective cycle is a theoretical framework that is comprised of six stages
namely description, feeling, evaluation, analysis, conclusion and action plan that is
shown below. Most of people’s knowledge and understanding are acquired through
reflection through experiences. This is where Gibbs Reflective Cycle is useful.
SCENARIO
The experience that I will be reflecting on occurred in the Orthopedic Ward, Hospital
Kuala Lumpur. I’ll be reflecting on how a patient who is tested positive with
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that will henceforth be known as
patient A, who affected another patient who was MRSA free that will henceforth be
known as patient B. During my attachment in the ward, patient A was placed in sub
acute (cubicle 3) whereas patient B was placed in cubicle 5. Patient B would always
visit patient A to have a chat and at times, they would even have meals together and
shared their food. Despite the fact that patient B was informed regarding patient A’s
infectious disease (MRSA) and how there was a significant reasoning as to why a big
red star sign was placed on the wall above patient’s A headboard as a sign of precaution.
Patient B would still remain physically contact with patient A and disobeyed all the
advice given concerning how MRSA can easily be transmitted by direct contact.
Eventually, patient B was tested for MRSA and the result came back as positive, as he
was infected by patient A.
FEELINGS
It was an unpleasant experience knowing the fact that patient B were ignoring all the
advice given on distancing himself from patient A even after knowing how the
infectious disease can be transmitted by direct contact. On top of that, it was even more
upsetting for me to learn that both the patients were not upset but in fact, were rather
happy knowing that they obtained the same infectious disease. Not only that, I also felt
utterly disappointed regarding the fact that both the patients took the outcome lightly
as if it meant nothing to be diagnosed with such an infectious disease that is difficult to
cure.
EVALUATION
The good outcome from this experience is the part where it helped create an awareness
regarding patients’ lack of knowledge on medical conditions, the severity of these
conditions and how to overcome them. Meanwhile, the bad outcome lies in the fact that
patient B was infected with MRSA and was fine with it.
ANALYSIS
My uptake on this is that both the patients had lack of knowledge regarding medical
disorders and the severeness of these infections and how they can be easily transmitted
and how difficult it is to be treated. In addition to that, the lack of awareness regarding
infectious diseases like MRSA is shown in the number of patients in the ward as there
are a worrying amount of patients with MRSA. Besides that, their ignorance and
inability to obey the repetative advices given by healthcare professionals and medical
students shows that both the patients may have behavioural problems which caused
patient B to be infected.
CONCLUSION
Given the chance, I would have brought this issue up to the Ward Sister to an
explaination regarding on the ignorance and stubborness of the patients. Reason for this
being, the Ward Sister could have come up with a better and stricter solution for the
ignorant patients. For example, the patients could have gone for counselling due to their
behavioural problem in order to help them achieve a better understanding of the
severity, complications and how the low chance for cure regarding MRSA.
ACTION PLAN
The action plan is to create an awareness to tackle issues and educate the public
regarding medical conditions. By means of printing posters and pamphlets for
distribution in doctor rooms, hospitals, clinics and wards, handing the pamphlets to
patients and their family members to help them improve their understanding regarding
medical conditions. Furthermore, another approach to tackle these issues is to distribute
medical disorders survey to patients. The reasoning behind these actions is to help
educate the public and patients on medical disorders to further give them a better
understanding on areas they don’t understand. Furthermore, patients need to understand
the significance of personal hygiene to avoid going through any complications or
getting infected by these diseases, for example, the importance of proper hand washing
steps. Hence, patients need to be taught the proper way to wash their hands. Apart from
that, the doctors could give a counterfeit threats saying that if the patients were to
disobey instructions and advice given by healthcare professionals, then those patients
will no longer receive treatment from the hospital. Not to mention, another action to be
carried out is to add more isolation rooms to place infectious patients to ensure that
other patients don’t get infected.
SUMMARY
Throughout performing my reflective cycle, I have came to a conclusion that the Gibbs
Reflective Cycle (1988) need to be practice more by nurses and student nurses. The
reason behind this, is to reflect on daily experiences in the medical field for a better
understanding regarding their experiences as there are studies shown that “nurses who
take the time to reflect on their daily experiences provide enhanced nursing care, have
a better understanding of their actions, which in return develops their professional
skills” (Hansebo & Kihlgren, 2001). I couldn’t agree more with the statement given,
as I feel the same way while I did my reflective cycle. In addition, while working on
my reflective cycle, I have discovered that it is an effective way of reflecting my
experiences given the fact that I have now discovered my action plan that can be apply
for the sake of prevention from the recurrence from my experience, as im well prepared
to tackle the situation. Furthermore, I believe that by applying the reflective practice
into our routine, we will be able to improve our skills, action and knowledge for a
positive impact on patient care in future. Nevertheless, reflection encourages growth
and helps nurses to continue providing the best care for patients. In addition, by
practicing this it does not only benefit patients in fact it benefit us nurses as well as we
can improve our professional skills, reach our goals and gain more confident with our
duty. Hence, this is why I believe, Gibbs Reflective Cycle (1988) should be practice.
REFERENCES
1. Bulman, C., Lathlean, J., & Gobbi, M. (2012).The concept of reflection in
nursing. Nurse Education Today, 32,e18-e13.
2. Hansebo, G., & Kihlgren, M. (2001). Carers’ reflections about interactions
with patients suffering from severe dementia. Journal of Clinical Nursing,10,
737-747.
3. Sissel Eikeland Husebo, Stephanie O’Regan, Debra Nestel (2015) Reflective
practice and its role in simulation,11,pp. 1
4. Yanfei Li, Weiju Chen, Cuiqing Liu, Minping Deng. Nurses’ Psychological
Feelings About the Application of Gibbs Reflective Cycle of Adverse Events.
American Journal of Nursing Science. Vol. 9, No. 2, 2020, pp. 74-78