Remembrance of things past: the utilisation of context dependant and autobiographical recall as means of enhancing reflection on action in nursing

Reflection on action is widely accepted as a means of developing an individualʹs experience and professional and scientific knowledge [Accident and Emergency Nursing 4 (1996) 135]. Reflection can occur when a nursing event is examined and explored which may lead to the individual acquiring new perspectives and new knowledge regarding the event. This paper contends that the exploration of an event in practice can be better understood if viewed in the context of previous similar experiences. A five stage structured process is suggested whereby the nurse intentionally returns to former places and recreates previously experienced affective states with the purpose of accessing context and state dependent memories. These rediscovered remembrances can then serve as the raw material for reflection on nursing problems and dilemmas. A comparison of the current problem with the past experience may lead to new learning and a deepening of the reflective process. The seminal work of Marcel Proust is referred to in order to illustrate the process and examples from practice are also identified.