Topic > Model to Facilitate Critical Thinking - 1030

Occupational therapist students receive direct and indirect instruction through didactic and field education to develop clinical reasoning skills. The accessibility of resources and research studies has opened up a treasure trove of knowledge. However, critical thinking is necessary to critically evaluate knowledge and apply it to clinical situations. The use of the seven steps or questions that the authors developed to facilitate critical thinking can be used to develop clinical reasoning skills. However, the topics suggested by the authors may not be as effective. Instead, the use of these questions during clinical fieldwork and didactic courses using OT-related topics can be used to facilitate critical thinking and, more importantly, metacognition. Identifying system level and personal biases, choosing evidence, critically evaluating current evidence, and making evidence-based decision making require critical thinking skills. Therefore, these seven steps can be used to develop the critical thinking necessary to develop clinical reasoning skills. Using reflection sheets will help students understand their own thinking process. However, since MOT students have not formed their own opinions on controversial OT topics, this type of activity would be more beneficial to post-professional and doctoral students.