Peoples-Praxis

Introduction to Reflection in Public Health Practice

Welcome!

This short, practical course helps you build a regular reflective habit that improves learning and day-to-day practice. It’s designed for anyone in a public health role and can be completed in ~60 minutes, across four short exercises.

You can complete this at your own pace, remembering to save your progress each time.

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About the Course

This course aligns with WHO EPHF principles and encourages reflective CPD.

Check your local CPD requirements for recording reflection.

Created by Professor Rajan Madhok; updated by Dr Mina Endeley. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Changes were made.

How to use this book

  • Use the Next button (or Table of contents) to move through pages.
  • 📝Take notes as you go.
  • 💡Capture key points and questions.
  • 📖Keep notes in your preferred format or use the Peoples-Praxis reflective templates.
  • Complete Exercise 1 (a brief starter note), then Exercise 2 (refine & plan).
  • 📂Add actions to your Personal Development Plan (PDP).
  • Complete Exercise 3 and Exercise 4.
  • 🤝Discuss and review your PDP with a mentor.
  • Download the book and templates for future reference (optional).
  • Get a Recognition certificate.

Quick resources

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References & further reading

  • Gibbs, G. (1988). Learning by Doing: A Guide to Teaching and Learning Methods. Oxford: Further Education Unit, Oxford Polytechnic. Open PDF
  • University of Edinburgh (2024). “Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle.” Toolkit page
  • Schön, D. A. (1983). The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action. New York: Basic Books. (see also 1987 Educating the Reflective Practitioner). Publisher page
  • Rolfe, G., Freshwater, D., & Jasper, M. (2001). Critical Reflection for Nursing and the Helping Professions: A User’s Guide. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Model overview (PDF)
  • University of Edinburgh (2024). “What? So what? Now what?” (adapted from Rolfe et al., 2001; Borton, 1970; Driscoll, 1994). Toolkit page
  • Tosey, P., Visser, M., & Saunders, M. N. K. (2012). The origins and conceptualizations of “triple-loop” learning: A critical review. Management Learning, 43(3), 291–307. Article
Media disclosure: This course includes AI-generated images created with ChatGPT (Sept 2025). Used for illustration; no real persons shown.
This course is licensed under CC BY 4.0Course completion as part of a Peoples Praxis Learning Pathway is linked to demonstration of some WHO Essential Public Health Functions competencies and certification.