Generative artificial intelligence 5: reflective practice

Reflective practice is a foundational element of paramedicine, introduced during education and reinforced through professional standards set by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) presents a novel tool to support reflective practice in both formal CPD activities and informal self-reflection. Through prompt engineering, users can deepen the quality and insight of their reflection, while critically analysing the tool's output can enhance understanding of professional value, decision-making and personal growth. This article explores established and emerging models of reflective practice – including both evidence-based and practice-informed frameworks – and evaluates how Gen AI can be used to scaffold reflection across experience levels. The use of Gen AI is recommended with critical awareness, ensuring users uphold confidentiality, consider bias and align with the ethical and professional standards of regulatory bodies.