Pilot study assessing reflection ability of practicing Australian and New Zealand ophthalmologists using the Groningen Reflection Ability Scale

Background: The benefits of reflective practice to foster high standards of patient care are well documented. Reflective practice is a continuing professional development (CPD) requirement of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO), the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ). However, the level of reflection ability among Australian and New Zealand ophthalmologists has not been previously measured. Methods: Fellows of RANZCO were surveyed in late 2011, 18 months after reflective practice became an AHPRA requirement for medical registration. Fellows undertook the college regular triennial CPD feedback survey and were given the option to proceed to the Groningen Reflection Ability Scale (GRAS, English version) test questions using a 5-point Likert scale (1=strongly disagree, 5=strongly agree). Results were collated using SurveyMonkey®. Average response for each question was calculated, and a single score calculated for the responding ophthalmologists. Results: One hundred and sixty Fellows participated in the survey, 89% Australian and 11% from New Zealand, and 81% male. Fifteen percent of practicing ophthalmologists responded. On average, responding ophthalmologists showed a high level of personal reflection ability, with total score 90.78 (possible range 23 – 115). Small numbers, potential bias among responders and lack of a control group limit the study. Conclusions: RANZCO ophthalmologists responding to the GRAS instrument in 2011 on average demonstrated a high level of personal reflection ability. This study is a useful baseline for future studies of ophthalmologists’ reflective practice and of educational interventions designed to improve reflective behavior.