APPLICATION OF THE GIBBS REFLECTION MODEL TO ANALYSE A CLINICAL ENCOUNTER IN A PROFESSIONAL NURSING SCENARIO
The Gibbs Reflection Model is one of several procedures that allow a professional nurse to assess professional competence through the analysis of a clinical encounter (Slater, 2003). The Gibbs Reflection Model is a six element cycle through which a professional service deliverer can identify, reflect on, and assess professional competency (Gibbs, 1998).
A clinical encounter is assessed in this paper through application of the six element cycle of the Gibbs Reflective Model. The six elements of the cycle are (a) description, (b) feeling, (c) evaluation, (d) analysis, (e) conclusion, and (f) action plan (Gibbs, 1988).
The service user in this case was a 52-year old white male who had been released from prison 12 months prior to the clinical encounter. The service user had been diagnosed as suffering from post-incarceration PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). The service user was receiving cognitive behavioural therapy as intervention designed to ameliorate the subject's behaviors involving (a) heightened levels of anxiety, (b) alcohol abuse, (c) failure the respond positively in interactions with family members, and (d) failure to honour employment commitments. Application of the Gibbs Reflective Model to clinical encounters requires (a) attention to the details of the encounter and (b) the use of critical thinking when reflecting on the encounter (Kenny, 2003; Campbell, 2004).
Application of the Gibbs Reflective Model
Subject (as described in the preceding section of this paper) presented himself to the clinic demanding immediate attention because he felt that the cognitive therapy he was receiving was not helping his situation. Neither a psychiatric physician nor a psychiatric nurse was available to provide immediate attention to the subject. The subject continued to demand immediate attention and no exp...