Background Reflective capacity is recognised as an essential professional attribute that underpins the development of midwives as competent and autonomous, self-determined, life-long learners, and critical reflective thinkers. Despite this professional requirement, little is known about how reflective capacity is developed, facilitated, or measured within midwifery education and practice.

Aim To design, develop, test, and evaluate a model of holistic reflection, and education resources designed to scaffold development and facilitation of holistic reflection and transformative learning and practice in midwifery.

Methods Using Education Design Research principles, a multi-method approach was applied to undertake four empirical studies: i. development a model of holistic reflection and education resources; ii. Evaluate effectiveness of the model and resources; iii. Evaluate the utility of the model as an educational resource for educators; iv. Design and test of tool to measure holistic reflection in midwifery students.

Findings The Bass Model of Holistic Reflection facilitates deep learning from integration of midwifery practice and knowledge in holistic ways. The unique combination of critical reflection, reflective writing, and reflexive conversations effectively scaffolded reflective capacity over time. The Model and Toolkit were positively evaluated by educators to establish the foundation of holistic reflection, and effectively supported their role in facilitating the development of holistic reflection. The Holistic Reflection Assessment Tool provides a valid and reliable measure of students’ holistic reflective capacity that scaffolds progression across the continuum from pre-reflective to a critical emancipatory and holistic level of reflection. Adopting a whole-of-program approach provides the foundation building blocks and scaffolds development of holistic reflective capacity.

Conclusion Embedding holistic reflective pedagogy within curricula to facilitate development of reflective capacity was identified as important to realise the transformative potential of holistic reflection.It is recommended that the Bass Model comprising the conceptual framework, model, resources, and assessment tool be embedded as an education strategy within curricula.