Changes in self-reflective thinking level in writing and educational needs of medical students: A longitudinal study

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to longitudinally examine the change in understanding of the self-reflection method, reflective thinking, and writing attitude and perception. Moreover, we investigated students’ educational needs and methods regarding self-reflection. METHODS: The subjects were 117, who were in the pre-medical course in 2017 and were promoted to the medical course in 2019. Questions concerning students’ understanding of self-reflection methods, their attitude and perception of reflective writing, and educational needs and methods regarding self-reflection were self-developed. For students’ reflective thinking level in writing, we used the approach developed by Galvez-Martin, Bowman, and Morrison and adapted by Kwon. For dada analysis, χ(2) test, t-test, frequency analysis was used. RESULTS: We found that students’ level of understanding regarding self-reflection methods increases slightly, but not significant (χ(2) = 2.238, p>0.05). There was no significant change in the level of reflective thinking in writing (χ(2) = 8.003, p>0.05). The students’ attitude toward reflective writing decreased in the medical course than in the pre-medical course (t = 3.475, p<0.001). The perception that reflective writing was helpful for individual improvement decreased during the medical course (t = 4.931, p<0.001). The need for self-reflection education increased in the medical course (t = -2.659, p<0.001). They preferred implementation in the first year of the medical course as an instructor-led special lecture. CONCLUSION: Self-reflective ability is not naturally developed as students’ progress through grade levels. Educational intervention is needed to help students understand approaches to self-reflection and its importance in enabling them to develop their abilities as well as to participate actively in reflective writing.