Use of reflective practice in introducing change on the management of pain in a paediatric setting.
OBJECTIVE
The paper describes the application of a reflective model devised by the author, in the management of paediatric pain within a district hospital.


BACKGROUND
The issue of bridging the theory-practice gap in nursing has encapsulated the workings of both nurse practitioners and theorists for many years, not least in the management of paediatric pain.


METHODS
The reflective model, divided into seven stages, demonstrates the way in which reflective practice and management of change can be integrated.


RESULTS
Applying this model highlighted nurses' concern themselves with a theory-practice gap, but was also evident of a theory (practice knowledge)-theory (official scientific knowledge) gap that needs to be acknowledged.


CONCLUSIONS
It is predicted that the integration of reflective practice with management of change will be useful to nurse practitioners and theorists alike who have sought to address the issue of a theory-practice gap in nursing by embracing the concept of reflective practice.
Ochieng
B M
BM
School of Health Studies, University of Bradford, UK.
D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006767:Hospitals, District; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D016294:Models, Nursing; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009736:Nursing Process; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology*; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010146:Pain / Q000451:nursing*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013850:Thinking