Critical emancipatory reflection on a practice-based issue in relation to the working relationship between doctors and nurses in China

Abstract

Objective Reflection is viewed as the most significant skill and should be advocated for lifelong learning. In order to grasp the process of reflection and embrace the reflective skill, one of the authors of this paper reflects on a practice-based issue in relation to the communication between doctors and nurses, to gain new understanding and thus improve the authors’ clinical practice. Methods Smyth’s framework with four stages is utilized as an ideal framework to guide the author’s reflection on the practice-based issue to free the author from her entrenched assumptions and the oppressive forces that limit her practice. Results The espoused and enacted theory, together with the critical reflection theory, are used to explore the values and beliefs that essentially govern the author’s practice and how these are distinct from the author’s worldviews. Following this, critical emancipatory reflection is undertaken to explore the dominant power structures within the author’s workplace. Furthermore, given the hegemonic and chaotic working context of this issue, hegemony and symbolic interaction theory are applied to unearth the various hidden constraining and oppressive forces. Additionally, socialization theory is utilized to help the author achieve professional identity. Conclusions Reconstructing the practice-based issue empowers the author to realize that in the future, she should act as a reflective practitioner, creating a daily habit, staying alert to practice, seeing things freshly, finding support systems, improving communication skills, conducting reflective research, and reifying reflective practice. Ultimately, the author will be sufficiently equipped to be able to transform her practice and change its outcomes.

Missed nursing care and complexity theory: a conceptual paper

“…It has been claimed that a lack of critical reflection in healthcare professionals is one of the potential reasons for erosion of care (de Vries and Timmins, 2016). On the other hand, Ling and Yu (2019) allude that practising critical reflection allows for establishing time for patients. It permits reorganising the order of nursing work in future practice, increases the efficiency of the nurses and thus increases the time available for emotional care provision, hence reducing MNC incidents.…”