Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Chapter 15: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Critical Thinking Definition & Characteristics (Dr. Richard Paul) –“A systematic way to form and shape one’s thinking” –Functions purposefully & exactingly –Disciplined –Comprehensive –Based on intellectual standards –Well-reasoned

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Critical Thinking (cont’d) Features of Critical Thinking in Health Care –Purposeful & results-oriented –Based on principles of: Health care practice Scientific method –Evidence-based –Guided by professional standards & ethics codes –Self-correcting through constant reevaluation

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Critical Thinking (cont’d) Analyzing and Evaluating Information –What is the main purpose? –What is the most important information? –What data support the main purpose? –What are the key concepts or most important ideas? How do they relate to the main purpose? –What message is the author trying to convey?

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Critical Thinking (cont’d) Improving Your Critical-Thinking Skills –Clarify your thinking –Discipline your thinking –Ask meaningful questions –Be willing to change your mind

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Problem Solving Basic Problem-Solving Approach in Action –Identify the problem –Gather information & identify possible solutions –Select the best option –Implement the solution –Evaluate the results

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Problem Solving (cont’d) Basic problem-solving approach

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Problem Solving (cont’d) Trial-and-Error Problem Solving –Testing solutions until one is found that works –Not effective in health care –Can be dangerous

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Problem Solving (cont’d) Scientific Problem Solving –Problem identification –Data collection –Hypothesis formulation –Plan of action –Hypothesis testing –Interpretation of results –Evaluation

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Problem Solving (cont’d) Intuitive Problem Solving –Based on inner prompting or instinct –No logical thinking –Identifying a solution to a problem based on its similarity or dissimilarity to other problems

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Study Skills Four Processes of Studying –Refreshing one’s memory –Taking in new information –Organizing & memorizing data –Making connections among information

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Study Skills (cont’d) Study Area: Desired Features –Adequate but not overwhelming lighting –Comfortable temperature –Soft, non-distracting background music –White noise –No phone –No TV

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Study Skills (cont’d) Daily Preparation –Read texts –Review notes –Study patient files –Analyze test results –Consult fellow learners or colleagues –Examine additional resources

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Study Skills (cont’d) Reading Strategies –Pay attention to bold & italicized print –Write main paragraph points in page margins or a notebook –Read everything, including: Tables Graphs Illustrations

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Study Skills (cont’d) Three Parts of Learning Information –Reception: taking in information without knowing what it means –Perception: giving meaning to information –Selection: recognizing information as important or unimportant

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Study Skills (cont’d) Types of Memory –Working memory –Short-term memory –Long-term memory

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Study Skills (cont’d) Techniques for recalling information –Say or write down everything you can remember –Try to recall events or information in a different order –Recreate the learning environment or relive the event

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Study Skills (cont’d) Different Strategies for Learning –Make associations –Acronyms & acrostics –Flashcards –Music

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Study Skills (cont’d) Study Groups: Characteristics of Effective Members –Committed –Contributing –Compatible –Considerate

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Study Skills (cont’d) Study Groups: Making the Most of Study Sessions –Determine objectives –Prepare in advance –Alternate instruction –Focus on the task