As clinicians, we are trained to think factually. We learn signs and symptoms. We memorize values and ranges. We react to abnormal and work to make them normal. We follow textbooks and peer reviewed articles – hesitant to embrace an idea until it is proven via double blinded studies.

At home we reflect. We share opinions. We stretch our thoughts beyond what our eyes can see. These ideas can lead to beliefs and learnings. They can be communicated and expanded upon. These learnings can lead to behavioral changes.

Read. Reflect. Learn. Change…Think of how many times you repeat these steps as you lose yourself in the social networks that exist today. This is a powerful pattern that can drive outcomes and shift the way you and others behave. It has shown its power on a global level – producing mass actions and reactions

Why not in medicine? Why do we struggle with feelings and reflections as clinicians at work? Without negating any of the power and validity of science based research and text, reflections add a layer of introspective thoughts that can still play a role in modern medicine. A clinician can improve future care by reflecting on a situation, recognizing which factors are driving your actions, and then assessing the outcome. Documenting these reflections will provide you and others guidance that can not be found in a text book or double blinded study. As discussed in The Reflective Practitioner, “Reflecting on these experiences is vital to personal wellbeing and development, and to improving the quality of patient care.”

Adaptrack provides a real time, data driven, personalized platform for clinician reflection. As a clinician moves through his or her day, the data collected allows Adaptrack to push focused learnings to the user. These learnings, or nudges, are easy to digest hints that help bring the clinician's blindspots to the foreground. By engaging with these nudges, the clinician may realize a specific risk that exists throughout their day. If unrecognized, these risks can lead to getting sued, burning out, losing efficiency in your practice or having your digital reputation tarnished.

Each learning nudge has an opportunity to journal a reflection, which is captured by voice or text on Adaptrack. This reflection may be what you were thinking or what you were feeling – but it ultimately led to what you were doing. The outcome may have been positive or negative. Either way, it provides an opportunity to learn and share. One personal reflection may lead to an endless journal of shared learnings that transform patient and personal care.  

The Reflective Practitioner Guide was developed jointly by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, the UK Conference of Postgraduate Medical Deans (COPMeD), the General Medical Council (GMC), and the Medical Schools Council. https://www.gmc-uk.org/-/media/documents/dc11703-pol-w-the-reflective-practioner-guidance_pdf-78479611.pdf