Reflective Essay: Dignity and Respect
Reflective essay: Dignity and respect 10053603
Introduction
The Purpose of this essay is to reflect upon an experience which relates to the chosen topic of dignity and respect, this was highlighted in my self-assessment (please see appendix) Acknowledging a persons’ dignity can contribute to their sense of good health, well-being and independence. Dignity is an essential element of high quality care and involves aspects such as respect, privacy, autonomy and self-worth (The Welsh Assembly, 2007)
I have decided to use the Gibbs (1998) Reflective cycle for this essay, this framework guides you through a cycle of questions in order to provide guidance and structure when reflecting on an event or situation. The Gibbs cycle encourages a clear description of the event, the analysis of feelings, the evaluation of the experience and analysis to make sense of the experience in order to examine what you would do if the situation arose again (NHS, 2006) Reflection is particularly important as practitioners are responsible for their own practice and they must ensure through self-analysis that their practice is current and appropriate. The process of reflection allows actions to be examined in a systematic manner enabling non effective and effective behaviours to be identified. (Ely and Scott, 2007)
Gibbs (1998) states that: “It is not sufficient simply to have an experience in order to learn. Without reflecting upon this experience it may quickly be forgotten, or its learning potential lost. It is from the feelings and thoughts emerging from this reflection that generalisations or concepts can be generated. And it is generalisations that allow new situations to be tackled effectively” (1988, p. 9)
Description of the event
The particular incident I have chosen to reflect upon occurred during the second day of my first placement. In accordance with the NMC (2008) Professional Code of Conduct, the confidentiality of patient information must be respected.
Introduction
The Purpose of this essay is to reflect upon an experience which relates to the chosen topic of dignity and respect, this was highlighted in my self-assessment (please see appendix) Acknowledging a persons’ dignity can contribute to their sense of good health, well-being and independence. Dignity is an essential element of high quality care and involves aspects such as respect, privacy, autonomy and self-worth (The Welsh Assembly, 2007)
I have decided to use the Gibbs (1998) Reflective cycle for this essay, this framework guides you through a cycle of questions in order to provide guidance and structure when reflecting on an event or situation. The Gibbs cycle encourages a clear description of the event, the analysis of feelings, the evaluation of the experience and analysis to make sense of the experience in order to examine what you would do if the situation arose again (NHS, 2006) Reflection is particularly important as practitioners are responsible for their own practice and they must ensure through self-analysis that their practice is current and appropriate. The process of reflection allows actions to be examined in a systematic manner enabling non effective and effective behaviours to be identified. (Ely and Scott, 2007)
Gibbs (1998) states that: “It is not sufficient simply to have an experience in order to learn. Without reflecting upon this experience it may quickly be forgotten, or its learning potential lost. It is from the feelings and thoughts emerging from this reflection that generalisations or concepts can be generated. And it is generalisations that allow new situations to be tackled effectively” (1988, p. 9)
Description of the event
The particular incident I have chosen to reflect upon occurred during the second day of my first placement. In accordance with the NMC (2008) Professional Code of Conduct, the confidentiality of patient information must be respected.
References: Alexander, M.F. Fawcett, J.N. Runciman, P.J. (eds) (2006) Nursing Practice Hospital and Home: The Adult. (3rd ed) Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Care Quality Commission (2011) The CQC calls for action to improve care for older people Dougherty, L, Lister, S (eds) (2011) The Royal Marsden Hospital Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures. Student Edition (8th ed) Blackwell Publishing. London Ely, C and Scott, I Department of Health (2010) Dignity in Care Available at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/dh.gov.uk/en/socialcare/socialcarereform/dignityincare/index.htm: Accessed 10.12.11 Gibbs, G Hinchcliff, S. Norman, S and . Schober, J. (2008) Nursing Practice and Health care. (5th ed) London. Edward Arnold Ltd. NHS (2008) Example of a reflective practice tool. Available at http://www.wipp.nhs.uk/tools_gpn/toolu4_eg_reflective.php Accessed 27.11.11 NHS Wales (2007) Health in Wales/Dignity in care Available at: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/ourservices/publicaccountability/dignityincare: Accessed 23.11.11 Nursing & Midwifery Council (2008) The NMC Code of Professional Conduct.