The enablers and barriers to facilitating the development of reflective practice skills of third level allied health professional students through technology: A scoping review

BACKGROUND: The ability to reflect on one’s own performance, attitudes, and knowledge is an essential attribute of a competent allied health professional (AHP). Traditionally, reflective practice skills have been fostered during clinical placements via dyadic or narrative means (e.g. face-to-face supervision, journal writing, and observational assessment). However, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, students face reduced opportunities for traditional clinical learning experiences, and embraced telepractice, simulation-based learning and other technology-based learning opportunities. OBJECTIVE: Research is limited regarding the use of digital technologies to facilitate the development of students’ reflective practice skills, therefore the best ways to facilitate this novel learning are not fully known and students may be disadvantaged as a result. As such, a scoping review was conducted to identify studies addressing the enablers and barriers to facilitating reflective practice skills of third level healthcare students, including speech and language therapy students, through technological means. METHODS: Five electronic databases were searched for studies published between 2016 to 2020. Identified records were imported into Covidence and titles and abstracts were screened by two independent reviewers. Data charting and critical analysis was completed by both authors independently. RESULTS: Six studies were ultimately included in data charting. These were of heterogeneous design and mixed quality. Four themes and a range of subthemes were identified regarding enablers and barriers to the facilitation of reflective practice via technological means. CONCLUSIONS: This research has provided critical information which may support the future use of technology in facilitating reflective practice among students. Competency in reflective practice is crucial to the professional development of students, yet COVID-19 and resultant restrictions present challenges to implementing the processes traditionally involved in developing such skills. This research highlights potential avenues for future developments in higher education which may overcome these barriers and augment the professional development of students.