Reflexivity in the medical encounter: contributions from post-modern systemic practice

In this article, I attempt to identify the forms of reflexivity that take place in the medical encounter and the possible contributions that the understanding of reflexivity in systemic thinking can make to medical practice. I start by reviewing some of the literature on the doctorpatient relationship as the necessary foundation to think about and understand reflective practice in medicine. I then argue that, as the medical profession comes under scrutiny from a variety of different individuals and groups, as well as from itself, a process of reconciliation between modern and postmodern thinking, as it has been suggested in the systemic literature, might help get a better grasp of the complex predicament and dilemmas of doctors in modern society. The notion of reflexivity, the ability of any system to critically think about itself by promoting a conversation between the experts and the subject of their expertise is probably the essence of the critical momentum of postmodernism and should be an essential professional attribute for all doctors.