Don't let reflection eat you up!

As dental professionals, reflective practice is considered a key element of learning and development and is therefore encouraged by both dental educational establishments and the regulator. However, following an adverse event, rather than undertaking what is assumed as reflection, and subsequently moving forward with a deeper understanding, many practitioners will ruminate for days/weeks or even months on the situation and internalise the emotional impact. This ruminating process can lead to issues of poor wellbeing and little constructive learning and can ultimately impact on patient care. Therefore, it is vital as a profession that we understand the difference between reflection and rumination and are aware of the predisposing factors. In addition, strategies to facilitate effective reflective practice and discourage rumination should be enabled.