Chapter 15: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

1. Chapter 15: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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?

5. Critical Thinking (cont’d) • Improving Your Critical-Thinking Skills • Clarify your thinking • Discipline your thinking • Ask meaningful questions • Be willing to change your mind

6. 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

7. Problem Solving (cont’d) • Basic problem-solving approach

8. 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

9. Problem Solving (cont’d) • Scientific Problem Solving • Problem identification • Data collection • Hypothesis formulation • Plan of action • Hypothesis testing • Interpretation of results • Evaluation

10. 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

11. Study Skills • Four Processes of Studying • Refreshing one’s memory • Taking in new information • Organizing & memorizing data • Making connections among information

12. 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

13. Study Skills (cont’d) • Daily Preparation • Read texts • Review notes • Study patient files • Analyze test results • Consult fellow learners or colleagues • Examine additional resources

14. 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

15. 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

16. Study Skills (cont’d) • Types of Memory • Working memory • Short-term memory • Long-term memory

17. 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

18. Study Skills (cont’d) • Different Strategies for Learning • Make associations • Acronyms & acrostics • Flashcards • Music

19. Study Skills (cont’d) • Study Groups: Characteristics of Effective Members • Committed • Contributing • Compatible • Considerate

20. Study Skills (cont’d) • Study Groups: Making the Most of Study Sessions • Determine objectives • Prepare in advance • Alternate instruction • Focus on the task