The Importance of Building Upon Critical Thinking in the Setting of Patient Care
by Bailey M. Hutchings, BSPS, 2025 PharmD Candidate
"Critical thinking skills are vital in creating a safe and effective healthcare environment. Currently, there are very few studies that show how critical thinking is utilized in the patient care setting or the academic setting. The research that has been conducted shows a lack of examining critical thinking at the depth that it needs to be, especially in the medical field. Despite this, there are known benefits to critical thinking in healthcare, including improving profits, increasing the mental capabilities of employees, and bringing innovative ideas to a work environment. Some ways to teach critical thinking include having students debate, having students evaluate problems that do not have one definitive answer, and allowing students to be creative in their education. The best next steps include conducting studies on the amount of critical thinking pharmacists use and giving students the opportunity to foster and grow their critical thinking skills throughout experiential education."
Keywords: Pharmacists, Thinking, Working Conditions, Patient Care, Delivery of Health Care
Download PDF
2024 May/June Table of Contents
"Critical thinking skills are vital in creating a safe and effective healthcare environment. Currently, there are very few studies that show how critical thinking is utilized in the patient care setting or the academic setting. The research that has been conducted shows a lack of examining critical thinking at the depth that it needs to be, especially in the medical field. Despite this, there are known benefits to critical thinking in healthcare, including improving profits, increasing the mental capabilities of employees, and bringing innovative ideas to a work environment. Some ways to teach critical thinking include having students debate, having students evaluate problems that do not have one definitive answer, and allowing students to be creative in their education. The best next steps include conducting studies on the amount of critical thinking pharmacists use and giving students the opportunity to foster and grow their critical thinking skills throughout experiential education."
Keywords: Pharmacists, Thinking, Working Conditions, Patient Care, Delivery of Health Care
Download PDF
2024 May/June Table of Contents