Professional Behaviours in Thinking and Communication

Original Editor - User Name

Top Contributors - Wanda van Niekerk and Jess Bell  

Critical Thinking

Definition of Critical Thinking

Below are some definitions of critical thinking available in healthcare literature.

• "Critical thinking is the process of analysing and evaluating thinking to make decisions."
• "Critical thinking is a process of careful thought and reflection before a decision is made."
• "Critical thinking is defined as the purposeful, self regulatory judgement that results in interpretation, analysis and inference as well as explanation of the evidential, conceptual, methodological, criteriological or contextual considerations upon which that judgement is based."
• "The act or practice of thinking critically (as by applying reason and questioning assumptions) in order to solve problems, evaluate information, discern biases, etc."

Key Elements of Critical thinking in Healthcare

Several key elements are involved in critical thinking when managing patients. These are:

• assessment and analysis
• problem identification
• decision-making
• continuous evaluation

The Ideal Critical Thinker

Personal critical thinker indicators refer to the behaviours and characteristics of critical thinkers. Developing these may help healthcare professionals in their quest to become better critical thinkers. Indicators are listed in Table 1.

Table 1. Personal critical thinker indicators

Critical thinker indicators
self-aware curious self - corrective intuitive honest prudent creative courageous health-oriented	genuine inquisitive analytical confident responsible open-minded realistic patient improvement-oriented	authentic alert to context insightful resilient autonomous fair-minded practical persistent	effective communicator reflective logical careful sensitive to diversity proactive flexible

Critical thinking is a skill that can be be improved. Ways to do this is by self-awareness, instruction, practicing and getting feedback from others. Three different perspectives of clinical thinking are thinking ahead, thinking in action and reflective thinking or thinking back.

Strategies for Becoming a Critical Thinker

Five strategies recommended are:

1. Get to know yourself better and understand yourself (self-awareness)
2. Build trust in relationships by respectful communication
3. Commit to developing the necessary skills, knowledge and attitude for critical thinking
4. Make sure everyone in your group/department/division know what critical thinking is by using evidence-based resources
5. Reflect on your thinking and reasoning processes and ask for feedback

Navigating Professional Challenges with Problem-Solving Skills

Why is Problem-Solving in Healthcare Significant?

• Adaptability to Change
• Optimising Patient Outcomes
• Ethical Decision-Making
• Patient Advocacy

Neccessary skills to for effective problem-solving:

• Analytical or critical thinkin
• Collaborative problem-solving
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Resilience and adaptability
• Effective communication

Effective Communication Strategies

Info from Adam et al 2011 and 2013

Important Aspects to Communication

Effective communication builds trust

Empathy and compassion

Effective in the choice of communication strategies

Cultural competence

Informed decision-making

Team Dynamics

Information sharing

Respecting patient privacy

Interpersonal Skills for Positive Relationships and Outcomes

Effective communication

Empathy and active listening

Interprofessional collaboration

Conflict resolution

Cultural sensitivity

Maintaining boundaries

Team building

Resources

• bulleted list
• x

or

1. numbered list
2. x