Reflection as a Tool for Personal and Professional Development. 2021

Laura Aaron, and Joel Hicks, and Angela McKnight, and Joseph Andary
Laura Aaron, PhD, R.T.(R)(M)(QM), FASRT, FAEIRS, is a professor in the School of Allied Health for Northwestern State University in Shreveport, Louisiana, carwilel@nsula.edu.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the use of reflection by radiography students and radiographers. METHODS Radiography students and radiographers completed reflection assignments as a part of capstone courses, which were taken near graduation in an entry-level bachelor of science radiography program (BSRS) and a bachelor of science completion program (registered technologist to BSRS). Responses were evaluated to determine achievement of predetermined outcomes and objectives. RESULTS There were 115 students and 25 radiographers who completed the reflection assignments. The mean scores of radiography students and current radiographers were measured to address the achievement of 2 student learning outcomes. Student learning outcome 1 contained 6 objectives, and it was found that radiographers scored significantly higher than did radiography students on 5 of the 6 objectives. Student learning outcome 2 had 5 objectives, and it was found that radiographers also scored significantly higher on each objective. CONCLUSIONS Although most radiography students and radiographers were able to link theory with practice through reflection to some degree, it was discovered that radiographers scored significantly higher than did radiography students in 10 of the 11 objectives, using these same outcome assessments. The results seem to indicate that the additional clinical experiences of radiographers, compared with radiography students, enabled radiographers to better reflect on their previous learning and apply it to new and different situations. Despite differences in the ability to critically reflect on previous learning, however, it is thought that students and technologists can use what they learn through reflection for continued professional development. In addition, educators can use this information to identify areas for improvement in their programs. CONCLUSIONS Radiographers and radiography students were able to apply knowledge gained through critical reflection in clinical practice. Compared with radiography students, radiographers have a greater capacity to reflect critically. The ability for greater reflection is partly due to having more clinical experiences to use as a frame of reference for reflection. Therefore, guided and critical reflection is useful for students and radiographers to apply theory learned to the clinical environment.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007858 Learning Relatively permanent change in behavior that is the result of past experience or practice. The concept includes the acquisition of knowledge. Phenomenography
D011859 Radiography Examination of any part of the body for diagnostic purposes by means of X-RAYS or GAMMA RAYS, recording the image on a sensitized surface (such as photographic film). Radiology, Diagnostic X-Ray,Roentgenography,X-Ray, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X-Ray,Diagnostic X-Ray Radiology,X-Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X Ray,Diagnostic X Ray Radiology,Diagnostic X-Rays,Radiology, Diagnostic X Ray,X Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,X Ray, Diagnostic,X-Rays, Diagnostic
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000488 Allied Health Personnel Health care workers specially trained and licensed to assist and support the work of health professionals. Often used synonymously with paramedical personnel, the term generally refers to all health care workers who perform tasks which must otherwise be performed by a physician or other health professional. Child Life Specialist,Allied Health Professional,Healthcare Assistants,Healthcare Support Workers,Population Program Specialists,Allied Health Professionals,Assistant, Healthcare,Assistants, Healthcare,Child Life Specialists,Health Personnel, Allied,Health Professional, Allied,Health Professionals, Allied,Healthcare Assistant,Healthcare Support Worker,Personnel, Allied Health,Population Program Specialist,Professional, Allied Health,Professionals, Allied Health,Program Specialist, Population,Program Specialists, Population,Specialist, Child Life,Specialist, Population Program,Specialists, Child Life,Specialists, Population Program,Support Worker, Healthcare,Support Workers, Healthcare,Worker, Healthcare Support,Workers, Healthcare Support
D013334 Students Individuals enrolled in a school or formal educational program. School Enrollment,Enrollment, School,Enrollments, School,School Enrollments,Student

Related Publications

Laura Aaron, and Joel Hicks, and Angela McKnight, and Joseph Andary
January 2004, Dimensions of critical care nursing : DCCN,
Laura Aaron, and Joel Hicks, and Angela McKnight, and Joseph Andary
April 1984, Sygeplejersken,
Laura Aaron, and Joel Hicks, and Angela McKnight, and Joseph Andary
March 2013, Academic psychiatry : the journal of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training and the Association for Academic Psychiatry,
Laura Aaron, and Joel Hicks, and Angela McKnight, and Joseph Andary
June 1984, ASHA,
Laura Aaron, and Joel Hicks, and Angela McKnight, and Joseph Andary
December 1999, Archives of disease in childhood,
Laura Aaron, and Joel Hicks, and Angela McKnight, and Joseph Andary
March 2012, Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien,
Laura Aaron, and Joel Hicks, and Angela McKnight, and Joseph Andary
May 2020, Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : official publication of the American Society of Echocardiography,
Laura Aaron, and Joel Hicks, and Angela McKnight, and Joseph Andary
May 2015, Anaesthesia and intensive care,
Laura Aaron, and Joel Hicks, and Angela McKnight, and Joseph Andary
January 2002, The Australian journal of advanced nursing : a quarterly publication of the Royal Australian Nursing Federation,
Laura Aaron, and Joel Hicks, and Angela McKnight, and Joseph Andary
November 1974, American journal of hospital pharmacy,
Copied contents to your clipboard!