Is reflective writing a valid summative assessment in the era of GenAI? A scoping review

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Article / Journal

Author(s) / editor(s):
Emma Furzer & Philip M. Newton

Year: 2026

Keywords: generative AI, reflective writing assessment, medical education
Language(s): English

Abstract:
This scoping review examines whether asynchronous written reflections remain valid as summative assessment in medical education given the rise of generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT). It synthesises literature on (1) GenAI’s capability to produce reflective writing, (2) methods for detecting AI-generated reflections, and (3) health professionals’ use of GenAI for reflective practice. The review highlights concerns that GenAI can produce plausible reflective texts, detection methods are imperfect, and learners may use AI to bypass authentic reflective processes—raising questions about assessment validity and prompting consideration of alternative assessment designs or safeguards.

https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2026.2658172

Post created by: Virginia Signorini

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