Reflective Practice Course: Writing Reflective Statements in the UAE

What you will learn

• Distinguish reflection from description, rumination, self-criticism and self-defence, and explain reflection-in-action, on-action and for-action.
• Identify the federal laws and DHA, DOH and MOHAP standards that create duties connected with reflection, including FDL 4/2016 Art. 3, FL 6/2023 Art. 8(12) and DHA Code Standards 6, 7 and 9.
• Apply Gibbs, Kolb, What? So what? Now what?, Johns and Brookfield's four lenses, choosing the model that fits the purpose.
• Classify reflective writing by level and rewrite descriptive passages as dialogic or critical reflection.
• Analyse individual and system contributing factors fairly, in line with just-culture principles, and convert learning needs into SMART actions.
• Write honest, impact-focused CPD reflective entries that respect your authority's CPD and accreditation rules.
• Structure a reflective statement for a facility, committee, licensing authority or employer, keeping apology, explanation, justification and reflection distinct.
• Write about adverse events factually, without adopting legal conclusions, and recognise when to seek advice from an insurer, lawyer or facility.
• Protect patient confidentiality in reflective writing under Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 and authority information-security rules.
• Maintain a dated reflective log during supervision or reassessment and build a sustainable everyday reflective habit.

Syllabus

10 sections, about 2 learning hours, 20-question final assessment

1. 1Reflective practice in UAE healthcare3 lessons

   • What reflective practice is, and what it is not
   • Where reflection sits in UAE professional duties
   • Benefits, barriers and the emotional side of reflection
2. 2Reflective models and how to use them3 lessons

   • Cyclical models: Gibbs and Kolb
   • Question-based models: What? So what? Now what?, Johns and Schön
   • Critical lenses and choosing the right model
3. 3From description to critical reflection3 lessons

   • Levels of reflective writing
   • Analysing contributing factors honestly
   • From learning needs to measurable action
4. 4Reflection for your CPD portfolio and licence renewal3 lessons

   • CPD rules across UAE authorities and where reflection fits
   • Writing reflective CPD entries that show impact
   • Reflection in appraisal, peer review and feedback
5. 5Writing a reflective statement after a concern4 lessons

   • Who reads a reflective statement, and what they look for
   • Structuring a reflective statement
   • Weak and strong statements compared
   • Reflection, apology, explanation and justification
6. 6Legal caution: written reflection, admissions and confidentiality3 lessons

   • How written reflection can be used in UAE processes
   • Writing honestly without drawing legal conclusions
   • Confidentiality and data protection in reflective writing
7. 7Reflecting with others and sustaining the habit3 lessons

   • Reflecting with others: debriefs, peers and supervision
   • Reflection when training, supervision or reassessment is required
   • Building a sustainable reflective habit
8. 8Conclusion and key points1 lesson

   • Conclusion and key points
9. 9References and further reading1 lesson

   • References and further reading
10. 10Your reflective account1 lesson

    • Your reflective account

Course facts

CPD value

Approximately 2 learning hours (self-directed CPD, including knowledge checks, reflection and assessment)

Audience

Doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, pharmacists and allied health professionals licensed by MOHAP, DHA, DOH, SHA or in Dubai Healthcare City, in government and private facilities

Standards covered

Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016 on Medical Liability (Arts 3, 5, 6, 17, 18, 20, 24, 38) and Cabinet Resolution No. 40 of 2019 (Arts 2, 5, 8, 10, 11); Federal Law No. 5 of 2019 (Arts 28, 29) and Cabinet Resolution No. 67 of 2020 (Art. 7.2); Federal Law No. 6 of 2023 (Arts 8, 13, 14) and Cabinet Resolution No. 176 of 2025 (Arts 5, 11); Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 on ICT in Health Fields (Arts 4, 13, 16); Ministerial Resolution No. 14 of 2021 (Patient's Rights and Responsibilities Charter); Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 49 of 2024 (Art. 19(c), Schedule 4); DHA Standards for Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (2025); DHA Manual for Licensing Healthcare Professionals (2025), section 18; DHA ST-53; DHA Standards for Health Information Consent and Access Control (2025); DOH CPD Standard (2024); DOH Incident Reporting and Management Standard V2 (2024); ADHICS V2

Format

Self-paced, gated lessons with knowledge checks, UAE case studies and reflection

Assessment

20 scenario-based questions, 80% to pass (16 of 20)

Outcome

Certificate of completion and a written reflection for your professional development portfolio

Alignment

Supports reflection on DHA Standards for Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (2025) Standard 6 (integrity and accountability), Standard 7 (scope of practice and professional competence), Standard 8 (professional and ethical communication) and Standard 9 (continuous professional development); FL 6/2023 Art. 8(12) duty to keep up with updates; DOH CPD Standard portfolio requirement (s.4.4.5); not approved or accredited by any UAE authority

Price

AED 349

Who this course is for

Doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, pharmacists and allied health professionals licensed by MOHAP, DHA, DOH, SHA or in Dubai Healthcare City.

Written for professionals licensed by any UAE authority: MOHAP, DHA, DOH, SHA or DHCR. Where the rules differ, the course explains the difference.