John Launer: Reflective writing and feeding the monster

Reflection is all the rage. Medical students are asked to write reflections on their encounters with patients. Junior doctors in some specialties have to enter these in their electronic portfolios. The documents we have to fill in for our annual appraisals include space for written reflections on the year’s achievements. In some circumstances—for example, with significant events or complaints—these may be compulsory.Who could possibly object? No patient wants to be seen by a doctor who is unreflective. The ability to examine one’s thoughts and emotions, and to write about them and learn more by doing so, is arguably a core professional attribute. Personally, I confess to a liking for the habit. I’ve written throughout my medical career and nearly always enjoy putting my thoughts in order with a pen or a keyboard.At the same time, the matter isn’t quite so straightforward. Some people hate being made to write reflections. For…
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