1. Critical Thinking
Joseph T. Catalano

2. Critical Thinking: What Is it?
Critical thinking is based on reason and reflection, knowledge and instinct derived from experience
“The art of thinking about thinking”
*An attitude about and an approach to solving problems
Critical thinking helps nurses make decisions about problems for which there are no simple solutions, often with incomplete information

3. Characteristics of Critical Thinking
CRITICAL THINKING IS CREATIVE
Explore new ideas and alternative ways of solving client care problems
Combine knowledge and information that may initially seem unrelated
Find connections between thoughts and concepts
Similar to the nursing process
All variables must be considered, and decision making becomes more complex as number of variables increases

4. Characteristics of Critical Thinking
CRITICAL THINKING IS LOGICAL, RATIONAL, AND REFLECTIVE
Must base thinking on rationales and facts instead of on emotions or egocentric impulses
Must take the time to collect as much data as possible
Examine data under the light of reason before making a decision or taking an action

5. Characteristics of Critical Thinking
CRITICAL THINKING IS INDEPENDENT
Nurses who think critically are not easily influenced by others with strong opinions
They demonstrate their autonomy by thinking for themselves and not passively succumbing to peer pressure or the belief system of the majority

6. Characteristics of Critical Thinking
CRITICAL THINKING CHALLENGES CUSTOM
Constructive questioning of long-used healthcare practices prevents nurses from mindlessly providing rote care
Advances in healthcare practices occur only when nurses understand the rationale behind the practices
Accept or reject practices based on evidence

7. Characteristics of Critical Thinking
CRITICAL THINKING IS ACTION ORIENTED
Goal of critical thinking in health care should be the resolution of a problem or a method to improve client care
Used at all levels of the healthcare system
Essential to the formulation and evaluation of policies and procedures, use of effective communication, and resolution of management and personnel conflicts

8. Critical Thinking Skills
GATHER PERTINENT DATA
May be too much or too little data
It is necessary to sort through the data
Use the data that relate to the problem
Identify and reject the data that are extraneous and perhaps misleading

9. Critical Thinking Skills
CONTEXTUAL AWARENESS: PLACE VALUES IN CONTEXT
Contextual awareness is a very broad concept that is not merely limited to values but includes everything that may effect the client, such as physical symptoms and environment
Values clarification is an important element in critical thinking

10. Critical Thinking Skills
CHALLENGE ASSUMPTIONS AND RITUALS
What are the rituals that are done routinely without much thought?
Are they beneficial, or can they be changed or eliminated?
What EBP exists as a basis for the change?

11. Critical Thinking Skills
IMAGINE AND EXPLORE ALTERNATIVES CREATIVELY
A nurse using critical thinking can often identify more than one solution to a problem
Evaluate the cause-and-effect relationship, value, and consequences of each course of action
Consider each one before implementing a course of action

12. Critical Thinking Skills
IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM
If underlying problem has not been identified, then it is almost impossible to develop a plan to solve it
Restate the issue as a declarative statement