Reflection on Three Critical Incidents in Practice

Reflection on Three Critical Incidents in PracticeReflective practice promotes quality care as health and social care practitioners evaluate and analyse incidents and create action plans to improve current practice (Jones, 2010; Jasper, 2006). This essay aims to reflect on three incidents in practice using Taylor’s (2006) model of reflection. This model of reflection was chosen because of its holistic nature. The steps of reflection is presented through the acronym REFLECT. The reflective process begins with Readiness, Exercising thought, Following systematic process, Leaving oneself open to answers, Enfolding insights, Changing awareness and Tenacity in maintaining reflection. I will reflect on my learning and professional development from the three experiences in relation to the 9 domains of the Professional Capabilities Framework (The College of Social Work, 2013).Incident OneDescription of the IncidentI was requested to complete a social assessment for a service user who was about to be discharged from the hospital following a stroke. This service user has markedly reduced mobility. As part of the multidisciplinary team, healthcare team members requested that the care package should be increased from two calls to four calls per day.Part of the assessment is to determine the degree of mobility of the patient and the need to provide additional support or changes in his home setting to facilitate mobilisation. This is necessary since the patient lives alone. In settings where the patient has very reduced mobility, a carer will be hired to provide additional support (NICE, 2008). However, if a family member can provide additional support, it is encouraged that care should come from an individual that the service user trusts and is comfortable with (NICE, 2008). Using this knowledge, I completed my assessment and concluded that the patient does not need an increase in his care package.Meanwhile, I conducted a social assessment for the wife of the service user. Studies (Gordon et al., 2013; Fan, 2011; McCullagh et al., 2005) have shown that carers of patients with chronic conditions are at increased risk of depression. The demanding task of caring for a sick family member and seeing loved ones suffering from an illness are some factors that would increase this risk. Hence, it is suggested that carers should also receive social and emotional support to prevent depression (Gordon et al., 2013). Upon completing the assessment for the wife, I recommended social support for the wife. It has been shown that social support is important in preventing social isolation common amongst family members caring for those who are sick (Fan, 2011). Social support will also help carers interact with others who are experiencing similar situations. Engagement in a support group will help form friendships and relationships with people who are undergoing the same experience (McCullagh et al., 2005). Currently, a number of support groups for families of stroke survivors are available in the community. Membership in one of these groups could offer needed emotional and social support.Patients surviving a stroke suffer from reduced mobility and disabilities (NICE, 2008). Studies (Langhorne et al., 2011; Rimmer and Wang, 2005) have shown the importance of improving cardiovascular fitness to prevent future stroke episodes. These studies also highlight the importance of social support as integral in the management of the condition and in the recovery of service users. Family members play crucial roles during the rehabilitation of these patients (Langhorne et al., 2011). As a social care practitioner, it is my duty to ensure that service users receive quality care and their needs are sufficiently addressed. However, on assessment, the patient does not require an increase in his care package.Critical Care IncidentFollowing my social assessment, I found out that the patient does not require an addition to his care package. This critical care incident became a dilemma since I was torn between following my colleagues’ recommendations and pleasing them or presenting my findings that the service user does not need an increase in his care package. On reflection, I began to ask myself why I felt reluctant in discussing my findings with my colleagues. I realised that they did not insist that the care package should be increased. Instead, they were asking me to complete a social care assessment to validate their recommendations. On analysis, my reluctance was rooted in my desire to please my colleagues. This is not surprising since team members would want to create harmony in the group and avoid conflict. However, Clouston and Westcott (2005) explain that when managed properly, conflict might actually promote better outcomes for the group.On reflection, I should have discussed my findings immediately with my team members and explained why the patient does not need an addition to his care package. Effective communication requires members to listen to both verbal and non-verbal messages of team members (Glasby et al., 2008). While we had no communication issues in the past, I could have eased my apprehensions and communicate my concerns with team members. Meanwhile, Collins (2009a) also emphasise that effective communication is needed to collaborate effectively with others. Since I will be collaborating with these team members in the future, I should use the lessons I learned from this incident to ensure that the patient receives optimal care. I also realised that I should observe the domains of professionalism and professional leadership when working with teams and in assessing service users. Professionalism is described as the ability of a health and social care practitioner to exercise his role based on the guidelines presented in his profession (Peck et al., 2008).Since I have the necessary background to conduct a social assessment, I should be confident in my findings and share this with the group. It is also part of professionalism to accept suggestions from my colleagues in order to improve current practice (Barrett et al., 2005). Further, one of the 9 domains of the PCF is knowledge. I should be able to use my knowledge on social assessment for stroke survivors in informing my team that the service user does not need additions to his care package. Next, I should also exercise professional leadership, which is also another domain of the PCF. In social care, leadership means the ability of social care workers to lead the management and care for service users (Barrett et al., 2005). Since leadership is a skill that is learned through constant practise, I should seek for opportunities where I can exercise lead,………………………………