Rapid review of facilitating reflective practice groups with staff in adult inpatient mental health settings

Abstract

Reflective practice is poorly defined and often lacks distinction from other practices, such as clinical supervision. In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) faces unparalleled challenges within the context of chronic underfunding, high staff attrition, and the recent global pandemic. Frontline staff are desperately trying to meet the demands of their roles and services are struggling to prioritise their professional development and wellbeing, further exacerbating these problems. This rapid review of the evidence sought to identify barriers and facilitators of Reflective Practice Groups (RPGs) within adult inpatient mental health services, using three databases. Two-hundred and one unique references were retrieved, yielding eight papers meeting the inclusion criteria. Barriers to facilitating RPGs included: practicalities; individual and team expectations; needs and competencies of facilitators; and organisational issues. Studies suggested solutions including facilitating RPGs off-ward to reduce disruptions and protect the space; increasing psychological safety by incorporating clear guidelines and expectations for attendees; and organisational support. The review highlighted universal challenges faced by healthcare professionals and organisations in facilitating and accessing RPGs. The review illustrates the paucity of research in this area, which may be due to nebulous definition and inconsistencies between different organisations. Implications for practice are discussed.