Critical Thinking Case Studies

gwenith, BSN, RN · Nov 25, 2003

I posted some critical thinking case studies a while ago as did BETTS - try doing a search or searching my profile - errr on second thought it might be easier to use the search option - I am a little prolific:roll

masny · Nov 30, 2003

Great - THANKS

vickynurse · Jan 5, 2004

There are lots of case study text books available. Thats a good place to start. Sometimes a real patient can be an inspiration for a starting point. It is helpful to have the labs, etc to include in the case study.

I think it is helpful to let students work on the case studies in small groups of 3-4. It is ok to assign the groups so that some are more able than others to think critically.

cludy · Jan 6, 2004

I have pondered over critical thinking and how to get the nurses to think critically. I have tried teaching critical thinking skills but to no avail. Then I discovered the missing element is what we already have, but seem to have strayed away from: The nursing process. When the all the steps of the nursing process is followed in every aspect of patient care, we are forced to critically think. The new nurse tends to assess and thats all. They don't do anything with the findings of the assessment. Now with every class that I teach, even something as simple as vital signs, I use the nursing process to teach it and explain it.:

selvygovender · Jun 13, 2005

Hi

I also find that whenever Im in the clinical area with my students they tend to focus on carrying out a skill rather than the critical elements of why they are carrying a skill out. I also try to incorporate critical thinking into my teaching as much as possible.

I have pondered over critical thinking and how to get the nurses to think critically. I have tried teaching critical thinking skills but to no avail. Then I discovered the missing element is what we already have, but seem to have strayed away from: The nursing process. When the all the steps of the nursing process is followed in every aspect of patient care, we are forced to critically think. The new nurse tends to assess and thats all. They don't do anything with the findings of the assessment. Now with every class that I teach, even something as simple as vital signs, I use the nursing process to teach it and explain it.:

purplemania, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2005

There is a whole subculture devoted to critical thinking theories and practice, but the real key (IMHO) is motivating people to want to think for themselves.

Do you have access to any nursing school instructors? They may have books, websites, even old lectures that would help.

I suggest implementing role playing. Maybe a short home-made video using staff nurses in real life situations. Ask Risk Managment what indicators they are following and what trends have they noticed that could be addressed. Should be an interesting topic to research!

Carlos Casteneda · Jun 16, 2005

HI!
I am the Hospital Educator in a 250 Bed Acute Care Hospital. I have been asked to develop a series of 3 hour classes to help build critical thinking skills. We have nurses at various levels of ability. I am looking for any suggestions on how best to achieve this but I am especially interested in case studies that help illustrate critical thinking. I have found some resources which are expensive and being on a tight budget, we are looking for more cost effective ways.
Ideas??

have you tried context transportation, its les confessional than reflection

Carlos Casteneda · Jun 16, 2005

have you tried context transportation, its les confessional than reflection

NS253 Price A (2004) Encouraging reflection and critical thinking in practice.

Nursing Standard. 18, 47, 46-52. Date of acceptance: October 13 2003.

Peejay50 · Jun 20, 2005

HI!
I am the Hospital Educator in a 250 Bed Acute Care Hospital. I have been asked to develop a series of 3 hour classes to help build critical thinking skills. We have nurses at various levels of ability. I am looking for any suggestions on how best to achieve this but I am especially interested in case studies that help illustrate critical thinking. I have found some resources which are expensive and being on a tight budget, we are looking for more cost effective ways.
Ideas??

Hi

I teach CT on the preceptor programme. I use clinical scenarios guided by practice. Then I have one course participant act as preceptor and one as the preceptee for each scenario. We pretend we are at the bedside and construct questions regarding the patient's condition at various stages of treatment/nursing process.

I give the preceptor guided prompt questions, so that if the preceptee can not come up with the answer, the preceptor can encourage the answer through questioning.

This is to guide the learner towards possible action at each stage rather than have the preceptor make the decisions and give all the answers.

e.g. A patient with an acute exacerbation of COPD IMPROVES HIS OXYGEN SATURATION FOLOWING ADMINISTRATION OF 2 LITRES OXYGEN- BUT - clinically, there is no apparent improvement. What could be some reasons for this?

molidean · Apr 21, 2008

The question is: What do YOU mean by critical thinking? In my research I find that managers and new nurses define the term quite differently. Managers think in terms of good outcomes, nurses tend to think in terms of protocols and tasks. Neither are critical thinking and an emphasis on either will not achieve what is wanted. A person who can gather and process information; communicate and justify decisions.

If you use case studies without teaching them how to explicitly gather all the information (internal as well as external resources) needed, weigh the risks, conduct cost/benefit analysis of various alternatives and evaluate their decision making process, you are teaching them to memorize protocols.