Critical reflection: a general practice support group experience

Abstract

The problem of medical practitioner burnout and loss of morale remains an ongoing challenge in the Australian health workforce. Collegiate recommendations are individualistic or personalised, or worse, punitive. Critical reflection in supervision is a long-accepted and key aspect of social work theory and practice. The use of critical reflection within a general practitioner support group is examined and key learnings from our findings over 3years are discussed. All participants reported the group enhanced individual and team workplace satisfaction, and wellbeing. This Practice and Innovation paper offers an example that could help improve current best practice in the pastoral support of medical practitioners.