Critical reflection: a general practice support group experience
Sophia Samuel A B and Heather Thompson A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Temple Hills Medical Centre, 2 Devlaw Drive, Doncaster East, Vic. 3109, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: sophia.samuel@emphn.org.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 24(3) 204-207 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY17092
Submitted: 12 July 2017 Accepted: 10 February 2018 Published: 14 June 2018
Abstract
The problem of medical practitioner burnout and loss of morale remains an ongoing challenge in the Australian health workforce. Collegiate recommendations are individualistic or personalised, or worse, punitive. Critical reflection in supervision is a long-accepted and key aspect of social work theory and practice. The use of critical reflection within a general practitioner support group is examined and key learnings from our findings over 3 years are discussed. All participants reported the group enhanced individual and team workplace satisfaction, and wellbeing. This Practice and Innovation paper offers an example that could help improve current best practice in the pastoral support of medical practitioners.
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