A novel framework for surgical reflection

Abstract

Modern medical practice has evolved into a highly structured and standardised practice, where guidelines have been refined to ensure consistent and safe care for patients, regardless of geographical location or healthcare provider. These guidelines have been established through years of continuous learning and tailoring to promote the safest possible medical practices. However, in order to further enhance patient care and prepare the next generation of physicians with even better guidelines, a proactive approach to reviewing and improving current teachings is needed. In this regard, structured reflection is often spoken about as a valuable tool in various medical settings, including surgery. There is currently too little emphasis on reflective practice in a formal and structured setting in the field of surgery. In this high-stakes field, a split-second decision can have life-or-death consequences, and thus it is crucial for surgeons to continuously reflect on their experiences, assess their performance, and identify areas for improvement. A framework for reflection was suggested in this study, combining individual and collective reflection. Each member of the surgical team was encouraged to reflect on their own experiences and observations individually and then share these reflections with the team in a protected environment. The team then worked collaboratively to agree on a collective response and plan of action, which helped identify areas for improvement and led to a shared understanding of best practice for patient care. This framework encourages continuous learning and improvement in the surgical team, reducing cognitive biases that may occur in large team-based discussions. Appraising conventional surgical practices, decision-making processes, and outcomes is crucial to enhancing patient care and gaining a deeper insight into the human factors involved in clinical outcomes.