How to absorb your reflection

While the word reflection is defined as ‘the throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it’, the one circumstance in which absorption is actually required is in one's professional practice—whatever your level as a paramedic.

A couple of months back, one of our newly qualified paramedic (NQP) columnists who has been sharing moments of her journey with us wrote about the NQP portfolio which is to be completed over a 2-year consolidation period, and which is designed to allow NQPs to evidence practice through reflection and learning outcomes, ultimately meant to contribute to personal and professional development, and lead to increased confidence as a paramedic. In her article, she shared her struggle to keep up with completing her portfolio, particularly in between jobs, and noted she was ‘guilty’ of catching up with it on her days off, writing up key points so she recalls patient encounters when she sits down to reflect.