Critical Thinking: Perception and disposition of students in a Medical College of Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the perception and disposition of medical students towards critical thinking.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study was carried out from July 1, 2015, to March 30, 2016, at Gujranwala Medical College, Gujranwala, Pakistan, and comprised undergraduate medical students. Student's perception about critical thinking was assessed through a self-administered questionnaire and the standard California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory. Data was analysed using SPSS 21.

RESULTS

Of the 228 students, 191(84%) were females and 37(16%) were males. Overall mean age was 21.02±1.56 years, and 142(62%) were in the clinical years of their studies. Mean inventory score was 273.3±20. Besides, 157(69%) students perceived critical thinking as a positive thought process, while 52(22.8%) had no idea about it, and 19(8.3%) took critical thinking as a negative process.

CONCLUSIONS

Most medical students were found to have a positive perception but they were not disposed towards critical thinking.