2. The value and application of critical thinking in practice

2. The value and application of critical thinking in practice -by maria-lavinia.ungur20@bathspa.ac.uk 

   “Critical thinking is the ability to verify assumptions utilizing available, tangible, and verifiable data and facts” (Open Minds, 2017).

   In order to develop as a person and professional is crucial to think critically and to be open-minded. That cannot be done without reflecting on experienced past events, questioning own beliefs, values and assumptions, bringing up and rethinking errors and failures that have occurred, as well as the actions that have ended in success. Critical thinking involves orientation on details, patterns, constant analysis of own and other people’s actions, internal and external influences, active listening and the ability to make decisions. The important point while engaging in critical thinking is the elimination of cognitive biases. Critical thinking cannot be based on emotions or unwarranted assumptions, only on pure logic and strong evidence (Critical Thinking Academy, 2021).

   While there are many benefits to critical thinking there are some disadvantages too. Overthinking is probably the biggest limitation to the development of correct critical thinking. Constantly reliving and reviewing past event there is a high risk of falling into a depressive closed repetitive circle of overthinking, which could lead to anxiety and depression and even mental exhaustion (Open Minds, 2017). That is why before engaging in reflection on the past in a critical manner, the knowledge of how to do it right is needed. As mentioned above, the emotional aspect, mainly the blame element, should not be a part of the process, as it is nor beneficial nor leads to any future improvement. The understanding that most of the practices involve error element and that mistakes are part of learning is a good starting point of reflective critical practice.

   The observation, attention to smallest details, reflection on own actions, elimination of personal biases, analytical skills and ability to bring everything together increases the potential to make well-informed decisions in practice (Open Minds, 2017). One of the oldest critical thinking tools is the Greek philosopher’s Socrates method called The Socratic Method (Nelson, 1980). This type of “teaching” is not a usual method where those learning are provided with information and get their questions answered by the one who is teaching. Is a reverse process that works opposite, when the teacher asks a question instead of providing answers, in this way dragging learners out of their comfort zone in order “to realise that they actually know what they did not know they knew” (Nelson, 1980, p. 34).

   The overload of information that arose from the growth of electronic networks, rapid and complex changes in the millennial society accelerated the need for critical thinking in order to solve the chaos of fast-changing environment and more demanding public (Jones-Devitt & Smith, 2007). Moreover, the holistic and person-centred care approach requires professionals to be more critical in their practice instead of just following routine procedures. In other words, professionals are moving away from a one-fit-all approach to individually orientated care practice that empowers the clients and encourages their participation in their own care plan arrangements. In 1977 Barnett stated that the ascendancy has initiated the shift to professional competency rather than some developed routine procedures, and that only could be achieved by developing the professional ability “to question the question” (Jones-Devitt & Smith, 2007, p. 8).

In health and social care practice knowledge, personal professional skills and competency alongside awareness and personal reflective habit, enables one to notice human errors, safeguard the people in their care, identify inconsistency, wrong practices or blame culture and, if necessary, “blow the whistle” in a timely manner. In other words, adapting reflective thinking routine and applying critical thinking skills to professional practice on daily basis could enhance clients’ satisfaction level, improve organisational sustainability and overall performance, increase personal professional competence and even save someone’s life.

References:

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Jones-Devitt, S. & Smith, L., 2007. Critical Thinking in Health and Social Care. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

Kinsella, E. A., 2010. The art of reflective practice in health and social care: reflections on the legacy of Donald Schön. Reflective Practice. International and Multidisciplinary Perspectives, 8 September, 11(4), pp. 565-575. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623943.2010.506260

Kolb, D. A., 1984. Experiential learning: experience as the source of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs(New Jersey): Prentice Hall. [pdf]
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Levey, S., 2013. Linked in. [Online]
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Nelson, L., 1980. The Socratic Method. Thinking: The Journal of Philosophy for Children, 2(2), pp. 34-38. https://doi.org/10.5840/thinking1980228

Oelofsen, N., 2012. Developing Reflective Practice. Banbury : Lantern Publishing Limited.

Open Minds, 2017. Open Minds. [Online]
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The University of Edinburgh, 2019. www.ed.ac.uk. [Online]
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Timminsa, F., Murphya, M., Howeb, R. & Dennehyb, C., 2013. “I hate Gibb’s reflective cycle 1998” (Facebook©2009): Registered nurses’ experiences of supporting nursing students’ reflective practice in the context of student’s public commentary. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, October, 93(21), p. 1371 – 1375. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.10.046

Aveyard, H. (2015) (2013) A Beginner's Guide To Critical Thinking And Writing In Health And Social Care (UK Higher Education Humanities & Social Sciences Health & Social Welfare). Paperback.

Fook, J. (2012. 1st Edition. Critical Reflection in Context: Applications in Health and Social Care Routledge

Free Ethical Learning and Development Resource for People and Organisationshttp://www.businessballs.com/reflective-practice.htm

The Foundation for Critical Thinking website for Students and Professional                    www.Criticalthinking.org

Nursing Times Journal                                                                              https://www.nursingtimes.net/publication-index/

Examples of Health and Social Care online Blogs

https://www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/social-life-blog

https://blogs.kcl.ac.uk/socialcareworkforce/

https://www.icarehealth.co.uk/blog/