Reflective Practice Questionnaire (RPQ)

The RPQ is a self-report instrument measuring the degree to which healthcare students and professionals engage in reflective practice—the deliberate examination of their clinical experiences, decisions, and actions to extract learning and improve future practice. Developed by Sobral and refined by Saarikoski and colleagues in the early 2000s, the RPQ assesses both the frequency and depth of reflection, including reflection-in-action (thinking while performing) and reflection-on-action (analyzing after the fact). The scale is used in nursing and medical education to evaluate whether students are developing critical thinking and self-directed learning habits that sustain professional growth.