REFLECTION IN GROUPS - CONTEXTUAL AND THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS WITHIN NURSE EDUCATION AND PRACTICE

The action learning group (ALG) has been described as a mechanism to f acilitate reflective practice. As a member of such groups, I contend t hat although a potentially ideal setting for learning, the group may e voke repressed anxiety and distress caused by self-awareness and conta ct with patients. This, if not contained, will hinder the process of l earning from and through experience. More rigorous attempts by those c onducting such groups may be required, to maintain the boundary and th us the safety of the group, and to obtain supervision, in order to dea l more effectively with problems arising.