Open AccessPractical Tips for Implementing a Student-Led Reflective Writing Workshop Series
Author(s) -
Andi Shahu,
Annette Thomas,
Eli Neustadter,
Anna Reisman
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
medical science educator
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 13
ISSN - 2156-8650
DOI - 10.1007/s40670-019-00753-x
Subject(s) - reflective writing , empathy , medical education , burnout , reflective practice , process (computing) , psychology , computer science , medicine , pedagogy , clinical psychology , psychiatry , operating system
Reflective practice may ameliorate the burnout, empathy loss, and depression that medical students experience during clerkships. We describe a student-led reflective writing workshop in a safe and structured small group setting. We provide twelve tips for implementing such a workshop, informed by the existing literature on reflective writing and near-peer teaching, which include developing writing prompts, guiding student facilitators, and obtaining feedback. Common topics include patient suffering, workplace dynamics, and the joys of practicing medicine. Participants develop camaraderie with peers as well as tools they can carry forward as they continue to process the challenging experiences intrinsic to clinical medicine.