Reflection of reflections: Building diagnostic expertise

Abstract

The ability to make a correct diagnosis is one of the physicians’ core competencies. In view of continuous medical education, the way to establish and maintain this expertise has been explored. Reflection has been reported to serve as an effective measure of remediating individual diagnostic skill. This article highlights three reflections which are reflection in action, reflection on action, and reflection for action, evidenced by past reports. Applying these reflections allows physicians to revisit the link between fundamental and interdisciplinary medical knowledge in conjunction with prior experience, thereby developing enhanced levels of diagnostic expertise and mastery.