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The Reflective Writing Class Blog: Using Technology to Promote Reflection and Professional Development

  • Innovations in Education
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Journal of General Internal Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

The hidden (informal) curriculum is blamed for its negative effects on students’ humanism and professional development. To combat this, educational initiatives employing mentored reflective practice, faculty role-modeling, and feedback have been advocated.

AIM

Promote reflection on professional development using collaborative, web-based technology.

SETTING

Four-week basic medicine clerkship rotation at an academic institution over a one-year period.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Students were asked to contribute two reflective postings to a class web log (blog) during their rotation. They were able to read each other’s postings and leave feedback in a comment section. An instructor provided feedback on entries, aimed to stimulate further reflection. Students could choose anonymous names if desired.

PROGRAM EVALUATION

Ninety-one students wrote 177 posts. One-third of students left feedback comments. The majority of students enjoyed the activity and found the instructor’s feedback helpful. Assessment of the posts revealed reflections on experience, heavily concerned with behavior and affect. A minority were not reflective. In some cases, the instructor’s feedback stimulated additional reflection. Certain posts provided insight to the hidden curriculum.

DISCUSSION

We have discovered that blogs can promote reflection, uncover elements of the hidden curriculum, and provide opportunities to promote professional development.

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Acknowledgements

We are indebted to the 91 student bloggers.

This research was not funded.

Conflict of Interest

None disclosed.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Washington DC VA Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA

    Katherine Chretien MD & Charles Faselis MD

  2. George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development, Washington, DC, USA

    Katherine Chretien MD & Ellen Goldman EdD

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA

    Katherine Chretien MD & Charles Faselis MD

Authors
  1. Katherine Chretien MD
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  2. Ellen Goldman EdD
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  3. Charles Faselis MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Katherine Chretien MD.

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Chretien, K., Goldman, E. & Faselis, C. The Reflective Writing Class Blog: Using Technology to Promote Reflection and Professional Development. J GEN INTERN MED 23, 2066–2070 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-008-0796-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-008-0796-5

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