›› 2009, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (7): 869-.

• Original article (Public health administration) • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Investigation and analysis of critical thinking ability in medical students

ZHANG Ya-qing1, LI Li-sha2, WU Ping3, CHEN Ying1   

  1. 1. Principal Office, Shanghai Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China；2. School of Nursing, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200025, China；3. Ruijin School of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200025, China
  • Online:2009-07-25 Published:2009-09-16
  • Supported by:

    Shanghai Municipal Health Bureau Foundation, 200829; Medical Education Development and Research Foundation of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 07207

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Abstract:

Objective To investigate the critical thinking ability of medical students and its related factors in order to provide evidence for higher medical education reform. Methods A total of 325 medical students were selected by cluster sampling method, and Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory-Chinese Version (CTDI-CV) was adopted for survery. Results The average total score of critical thinking ability of medical students was above 280, and 51.08% of students showed positive critical thinking ability. Among all the seven critical thinking dispositions, average scores of each item were all positive (>40) except that the significance of truth seeking (37.23) and systematicity (39.05) were indefinite. There were significant differences in critical thinking ability between medical students with different gender and academic years (P<0.05). Conclusion The critical thinking ability of medical students is positive, however, there still exist some shortages. An equal relationship between teachers and students should be established, the traditional course system be continuously reformed, a good environment for clinical training be created, and a variety of teaching methods be implemented to further strengthen the critical thinking ability of medical students.

Key words: clinical medicine, medical students, critical thinking