title: Written reflection in assessment and appraisal: GP and GP trainee views.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the UK, evidence of written reflection is part of licensing and revalidation for general practitioners (GPs). However, there is little evidence of specific benefits compared to other forms of reflective practice.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To seek GPs' and general practice (GP) trainees' views on the role of written reflection in learning and assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey of 1005 GPs and GP trainees (GPTs) in the UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous questionnaire containing 38 attitudinal items was administered. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse Likert scale responses, thematic analysis for free-text responses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total 544 GPs and 461 GPTs completed the survey, with 842 (83.8%) agreeing they find verbal reflection with a colleague more useful than written reflection. Three quarters disagreed that written reflection is a way of identifying poorly performing GPs. Over 70% of respondents stated that summative, written reflection is a time-consuming, box-ticking exercise which distracts from other learning. They question its validity as part of assessment and state that its use may contribute to current difficulties with recruitment and retention to GP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For many GPs, written reflection is an onerous process rather than beneficial to their learning, indicating its continued use in assessment needs to be critically examined.
authors.affiliation: a Department for Health , University of Bath , Bath , UK.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Curtis
authors.affiliation: a Department for Health , University of Bath , Bath , UK.
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: a Department for Health , University of Bath , Bath , UK.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.affiliation: b Health Education South West, School of Primary Care , Deanery House , Bristol , UK.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pelly
authors.affiliation: a Department for Health , University of Bath , Bath , UK.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods; D008004:Licensure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D014956:Writing
keywords: General practitioner; general practice trainee; medical education; written reflection