What is Rolfe et al's 2001 model of reflective practice

 What is Rolfe et al's 2001 model of reflective practice?
Rolfe, Freshwater and Jasper (2010) present a model which may be used to undertake reflective learning. Reflective learning is more than just reflection; it is a process where past events are recalled to recapture the experience and then examined it to consider why the observed outcomes occurred and assess personal permanence or reactions to identify how these may be improved in the future (Schon, 1991). Rolfe's model provides a framework that can be used to undertake a reflective process. The model is not entirely original; it is based on Borton's (1970) model.

In line with Borton's (1970) model, the Rolfe et al. (2010) model, initially published in 2001, starts by asking the same three questions: What? So What? and Now What? However, Rolfe et al. (2010) introduced a higher level of prescriptiveness into the model, with more details regarding the questions which should be asked and how it can be applied, to increase its credibility (Skinner and Mitchell, 2016). Rolfe argued the three stages related to different processes; the first was descriptive, defining what happened and how. The increased detail include factors such as considering what occurred from different stakeholder perspectives (Jasper, 2013). The second stage which Borton defined as analytical, Rolfe et al. (2010) enhance by expanding the guidance, stating this should be completed referring to theory and empirical knowledge, with the application of those ideas used to help explain what happened and why. The final stage of Now What looks to the future, with Rolfe et al. (2010) presenting this as an action-oriented stage, focusing on a proactive approach. A summary of the model with examples of the questions at each stage is presented in figure 1

Rolfe's Reflective Model
Rolfes Reflective ModelSource: (ScOPT, 2017, p. 1)

Rolfe et al's 2001 reflective cycle
Rolfe et al's reflective cycle

Source: (ScOPT, 2017, p. 1)

What Fields of Study use Rolfe's Reflective Cycle?
Rolfe et al. (2010) developed the model specifically for application within nursing, for those learning and well as practitioners. However, it is a model that could be applied to other areas of healthcare, or other practitioner areas, for example, Fontaine (2018, p. 1) advocates for its use in veterinary practice.

Why Use Rolfe et al's Reflective Model?
Reflective learning is is a process which increases the value of experience by creating a higher level of self-awareness, with the second So What theory and knowledge stage enhancing understanding and supporting the transference of theoretical knowledge into the practical world, and allow for personal planning to facilitate improvement (Jasper, 2013). Griggs et al. (2018) argue the use of reflective learning can be valuable and leading to reflective practice. The use of the Rolfe et al. (2010) model will support this with a model that can be used in both formal and informal settings, allowing for a variety of depths, and supporting people at different stages of their career.

The Pros and Cons of Rolfe's Model
The pros of this model are:
• Easy to use.

• Simple to understand, with clear guidance on the contents of each stage.

• More comprehensive compared to Bortons (1970) model.

• Rolfe's model was developed specifically for nursing and healthcare. For example, consideration of what happened from the client and others perspectives (ScOPT, 2017).

• Incorporates intangible elements of the experience, including feelings (Jasper, 2013).

• Can be used by novices and professional practitioners, with increased complexity as competence increases (Vong, 2017).

The cons are:
• More complex than other simpler models, such as Bortons' (1970).

• A narrower focus on nursing, reducing support for application in other disciplines (Griggs et al., 2018).

• Comprehensive analysis of the second stage is reliant on appropriate theoretical knowledge (ScOPT, 2017).

• The model requires consistent use to support learning (Moon, 2004).

Why is Rolfe's Reflective Model Good?
There are more pros than cons, which indicates this is a good model, particularly when considering the ease of application; models are likely to be used more extensively when they are easy to use. Also, if this is used within a clinical setting, the guiding questions created to enhance Bortons' basic model provide a higher level of guidance, which is particularly useful for novices and provides advantages over the more generic models.

How to Cite Rolfe's Reflective Model
Where a model or theory of another person has been used, the source should be cited. Rolfe's model was initially published in 2001 and has been republished. Where possible, students should attempt to use Rolfe's own publication as a source. The in-text citation should include the author name and then years, although the requirements may vary based on the different styles which can be used. In the bibliograph