Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Public Health, Student Research Committee, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran
2 Department of Healthcare Services Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
3 Education Development Center, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran
Abstract
Background: Critical thinking and problem-solving are essential competencies for medical sciences students, who frequently encounter complex clinical situations requiring accurate judgment and effective decisions. With the shift toward competency-based education, examining their relationship is crucial. This study investigated whether critical thinking predicts problem-solving ability among these students.
Methods: In 2025, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 385 students of Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, southern Iran, selected via proportional stratified random sampling. Data were collected using the validated Persian versions of the California Critical Thinking Skills Test and the Problem-Solving Inventory. Analyses in SPSS v23 encompassed descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple linear regression, with significance set at p<0.05.
Results: The mean scores for critical thinking and problem-solving were 18.74 (SD=4.91) and 112.47 (SD=18.36), respectively. Critical thinking showed a strong positive correlation with problem-solving ability (r=0.65, p<0.001). Regression analysis revealed that all five dimensions of critical thinking significantly predicted problem-solving, collectively explaining 35% of its variance (R²=0.35, F(6, 312)=28.67, p<0.001). Field-of-study comparisons indicated that students in medicine discipline achieved higher scores in both domains (p=0.013 for critical thinking; p=0.021 for problem-solving).
Conclusion: This study highlights critical thinking as a key predictor of problem-solving skills in medical sciences students, with all dimensions contributing meaningfully. The results advocate for embedding targeted critical thinking training into medical curricula to strengthen students’ capacity for effective clinical decision-making, especially given the superior performance observed among medical students. However, as this was a cross-sectional study, causal interpretations should be made with caution.
Highlights
Amin Beigzadeh (Google Scholar) (PubMed)
Keywords
Main Subjects
- Heidari M, Ebrahimi P. Examining the relationship between critical-thinking skills and decision-making ability of emergency medicine students. Indian journal of critical care medicine: peer-reviewed, official publication of Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine. 2016;20(10):581. doi: 10.4103/0972-5229.192045
- Hmelo-Silver CE, Duncan RG, Chinn CA. Scaffolding and achievement in problem-based and inquiry learning: a response to Kirschner, Sweller, and Clark. Educational psychologist. 2007;42(2):99-107. doi: 1080/00461520701263368
- Athari ZS, Sharif SM, Nasr AR, Nematbakhsh M. Assessing critical thinking in medical sciences students in two sequential semesters: Does it improve?. Journal of education and health promotion. 2013;2(1):5. doi: 4103/2277-9531.106644
- Papathanasiou IV, Kleisiaris CF, Fradelos EC, Kakou K, Kourkouta L. Critical thinking: the development of an essential skill for nursing students. Acta Informatica Medica. 2014 Aug 21;22(4):283. doi: 5455/aim.2014.22.283-286
- Bordbar S, Bahmaei J, Rad HF, Yusefi AR. Investigate the state of critical thinking and its impact on moral courage and moral sensitivity; evidence from nurses’ perspective. BMC nursing. 2024;23(1):825. doi: 10.1186/s12912-024-02496-6
- Lacey MD. An examination of the disposition toward critical thinking and critical thinking ability of associate degree and baccalaureate nursing students and nursing faculty. Temple University; 1996.
- Kahlke R, White J. Critical thinking in health sciences education: considering “three waves”. Creative Education. 2013;4(12):21-9. doi: 4236/ce.2013.412a1004
- Heppner PP, Witty TE, Dixon WA. Problem-solving appraisal and human adjustment: A review of 20 years of research using the Problem Solving Inventory. The Counseling Psychologist. 2004;32(3):344-428. doi: 1177/0011000003262793
- Li YM, Luo YF. The influencing factors of clinical nurses’ problem solving dilemma: a qualitative study. International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being. 2022;17(1):2122138. doi: 1080/17482631.2022.2122138
- Kamran A, Naeim M, Mohammadi M, Masoumi N. Prediction of academic performance based on learning style and critical thinking among medical students. Journal of Pedagogical Research. 2022;6(1):57-66. doi: 33902/jpr.2022175483
- Ertmer PA, Newby TJ. Behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism: Comparing critical features from an instructional design perspective. Performance improvement quarterly. 2013;26(2):43-71. doi: 1002/piq.21143
- Falcó‐Pegueroles A, Rodríguez‐Martín D, Ramos‐Pozón S, Zuriguel‐Pérez E. Critical thinking in nursing clinical practice, education and research: From attitudes to virtue. Nursing Philosophy. 2021;22(1):e12332. doi: 1111/nup.12332
- Chan ZC. A systematic review of critical thinking in nursing education. Nurse education today. 2013;33(3):236-40. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2013.01.007
- Ennis RH. A taxonomy of critical thinking dispositions and abilities. In: Baron J, Sternberg R, editors. Teaching Thinking Skills: Theory and Practice. New York: WH Freeman; 1987:9–26.
- Astuti NH, Rusilowati A, Subali B. STEM-based learning analysis to improve students’ problem solving abilities in science subject: A literature review. Journal of Innovative Science Education. 2021;10(1):79-86. doi: 15294/jise.v9i2.38505
- Young M, Thomas A, Lubarsky S, Ballard T, Gordon D, Gruppen LD, et al. Drawing boundaries: the difficulty in defining clinical reasoning. Academic Medicine. 2018;93(7):990-5. doi: 1097/acm.0000000000002142
- Ghanizadeh A. The interplay between reflective thinking, critical thinking, self-monitoring, and academic achievement in higher education. Higher Education. 2017;74(1):101-14. doi: 1007/s10734-016-0031-y
- Midilli TS, Altas G. The relationship between critical thinking disposition and problem solving skills in nurses. International Journal of Caring Sciences. 2020;13(3):1890-7.
- Kanbay Y, Okanlı A. The effect of critical thinking education on nursing students’ problem-solving skills. Contemporary nurse. 2017;53(3):313-21. doi: 1080/10376178.2017.1339567
- Richards JB, Hayes MM, Schwartzstein RM. Teaching clinical reasoning and critical thinking: from cognitive theory to practical application. Chest. 2020 Oct 1;158(4):1617-28. doi: 1016/j.chest.2020.05.525
- Duron R, Limbach B, Waugh W. Critical thinking framework for any discipline. International Journal of teaching and learning in higher education. 2006 Jan 1;17(2):160-6.
- Ilic D, Maloney S. Methods of teaching medical trainees evidence‐based medicine: a systematic review. Medical Education. 2014;48(2):124-35. doi: 1111/medu.12288
- Rastgo A, Naderi E, Shariatmadari A, Sifnaraghi M. The Impact of Internet Information Literacy Training on University Student’s Problem Solving Skills. A new approach in educational management.2010;1(4):1-22.
- Mehrinejad SA. Adaptation and standardization of the California Test of Critical Thinking Skills. Cognitive science news. 2006; 9(3):63-72.
- Yang HJ. Relationship between critical thinking disposition and problem solving ability of nursing students. Journal of the Korea Academia-industrial cooperation Society. 2013;14(12):6387-94. doi:10.5762/KAIS.2013.14.12.6387
- Dolmans DH, De Grave W, Wolfhagen IH, Van Der Vleuten CP. Problem‐based learning: Future challenges for educational practice and research. Medical education. 2005;39(7):732-41. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2929.2005.02205.x
- Simmons B. Clinical reasoning: concept analysis. Journal of advanced nursing. 2010;66(5):1151-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2010.05262.x
- Royce CS, Hayes MM, Schwartzstein RM. Teaching critical thinking: a case for instruction in cognitive biases to reduce diagnostic errors and improve patient safety. Academic Medicine. 2019;94(2):187-94. doi: 1097/acm.0000000000002518
- Kuiper RA, Pesut DJ. Promoting cognitive and metacognitive reflective reasoning skills in nursing practice: self‐regulated learning theory. Journal of advanced nursing. 2004;45(4):381-91. doi: 1046/j.1365-2648.2003.02921.x
- Azizi-Fini I, Hajibagheri A, Adib-Hajbaghery M. Critical thinking skills in nursing students: a comparison between freshmen and senior students. Nursing and midwifery studies. 2015;4(1):e25721. doi: 17795/nmsjournal25721
)