Experiential placements and scaffolding for reflection

Reflection is a cognitive process for organizing ideas and building theory from observations and experiences. Learning within work-integrated and clinical placements is increasingly required for professional accreditation approval of allied health and other university programmes. Through clinical placements students can develop the knowledge and the practical skills and personal attributes needed for entry into their professions. Relevant to communities of practice, in experiential placements learners actively build on their own life experiences within realistic work-oriented contexts. Supervising practitioner feedback and guidance potentially accelerate the learning through a process of feedback and skilful questioning to encourage deep reflection. However, there has been little research into the role of reflection within experiential placements, particularly with respect to the preparation of students for the Australian pharmacy profession. A 2007 Australian Learning and Teaching Council-funded research study was conducted regarding pharmacy experiential placements. The purpose was to map Australian university programmes, analyse handbooks and also consult with about 250 stakeholders from a range of backgrounds in relation to issues and quality indicators. This paper focuses on reflection as one aspect of the Australian pharmacy experiential placement research. It highlights the importance of more comprehensively planned approaches to learning and reflection within experiential placements. This includes university and clinical educator scaffolding and feedback at the pre-placement, during placement and post-placement stages.