Reflective practice: using the action learning group mechanism.

Abstract

Many practising nurses, midwives, health visitors and their educators recognise the phenomena of the theory-practice gap. Due to social, economic and political developments it is now crucial for the gap to be closed. This paper provides a commentary on how one mechanism, called an action learning group (ALG), has been utilised in a post-registration diploma/degree programme in Nursing and Midwifery Studies as a method to secure that closure. Presented within the introduction to the paper is a discussion on reflective learning and its understanding by an academic team. The paper then considers the ALG formula with discussion upon its uses and an example of student experience. The paper concludes by discussing the aspirations of the academic team with regard to ALGs and their role in post-registration nurse, midwife and health visitor education.