Section 1

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Section 1: Introduction to Reflection

The first step to confident, well-structured answers.

Objectives

Before we can build excellent answers, we need to lay down foundations:

• Understand why self-awareness is a core skill for medics.
• Learn a simple framework for effective reflection.
• Avoid common pitfalls when analyzing your experiences.

Reflection Made Simple

Common Mistakes

How to Reflect Effectively

Why Reflection Matters in Medicine

Index

Come back to this, whenever you need.

Reflection is how you improve faster than anyone else.

Why Reflection Matters in Medicine

Why Reflection Matters in Medicine

Self-awareness is your foundation for growth. Reflection helps you align your actions with the values medicine demands. It’s a lifelong skill. From your medical school portfolio to your professional revalidation, reflection will follow you every step of the way.

Intelligence = speed of learning. Learning = new behavior under same condition -Alex Hormozi

STAR

How to Reflect Effectively

How to Reflect Effectively

Situation

What was the context?

Task

What were you trying to achieve?

Action

What did you do?

Result & Reflection

What happened? What did you learn? How did it prepare you for medicine?

Common Mistakes

Common Mistakes

STA Overload

Keep 'STA' concise- spend most of your time on what you learned and how it applies to medicine.

Vague Takeaways

Reflections that are too generic or lack depth.

No Link to Medicine

Always tie your takeaway back to teamwork, communication, or another medical competency.

Not Personal Enough

Focus on what you did, not just what the group achieved or what others did around you.

Trying to Be Perfect

Reflecting on a challenge or failure makes your story more authentic and relatable.

Skimming Over Growth

Explain how you’ve applied the lessons learned to similar situations since then.

Result + Reflection Made Simple

Result + Reflection Made Simple

What went well?

Focus on what you did effectively, and be specific.

Even better if?

Pinpoint what could be improved without being overly critical. Acknowledge the gap.

What did I learn?

Show how you're closing the gap- Connect your learning to a skill or value relevant to medicine.

What I did better next time?

Reflect on how you’ll apply/already applied what you’ve learned. This shows your dedication to improving.

Good Job! Now for the next one.

You learnt how to reflect, and now you're ready to apply it.

Even better if?

I noticed that we struggled to coordinate when unexpected issues came up, like a misplaced shipment. I could have planned for contingencies to adapt more smoothly.

Task Examples

• Observed a doctor managing an anxious patient waiting for surgery
• Led the team against a tough competitor, aiming to work effectively for the win
• Assisted customers, to sort donations, and ensure the shop was well-organized

Action Examples

• Saw the doctor speak with empathy, answering the patient’s concerns, and offering reassurance
• Led by example, organised additional team building activities, kept morale high
• Efficiently sorted and displayed items while helping customers find what they needed

Result & Reflection (requires more expansion)

• The patient felt calmer and more reassured, highlighting the importance of empathetic communication in healthcare. This experience reinforced my interest in building trust with patients...
• We won most games, and I strengthened my leadership and teamwork skills. This taught me how to manage pressure and motivate others, skills crucial for working in medicine...
• The shop saw increased sales, and I received positive feedback for my efficiency. I learned the value of time management and effective communication, which will be essential in patient care...

Situation Examples

• Shadowed a doctor handling an anxious patient
• Selected as football captain for the month's games
• Afternoon volunteering at the local charity shop

What went well?

I worked with my team to reorganize shelves during a busy restock period. We divided tasks efficiently, kept communication clear, and finished ahead of schedule.

What I did better next time

Misplaced shipments actually happened twice again. Since I suggested to create a quick contingency plan before we started, the team knew how to handle the unexpected situation effectively.

What did I learn?

I learned the value of clear communication in high-pressure teamwork. Keeping everyone informed and on the same page can reduce stress and improve efficiency.

Vague Takeaways

You need your reflection to be crystal clear, as its the heart of your answer. Too many people complain that 'reflecting' is too wishy-washy and hence give a vague answer. Reflecting is extremely practical- what went well, what could have gone better. What did I learn, what did I improve, How will I do it differently next time.

Here you can include a relevant piece of informationto highlight