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Problem-Solving Before Instruction (PS-I): A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities
Published on: September 11, 2021
Use of reflection-in-action and self-assessment to promote critical thinking among pharmacy students
Zubin Austin1, Paul Am Gregory, Stephanie Chiu
1Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto ON M5S3M2, Canada. zubin.austin@utoronto.ca
Objective:
To examine whether self-assessment and reflection-in-action improves critical thinking among pharmacy students.
Methods:
A 24-item standardized test of critical thinking was developed utilizing previously-validated questions. Participants were divided into 2 groups (conditions). Those in condition 1 completed the test with no interference; those in condition 2 completed the test but were prompted at specific points during the test to reflect and self-assess.
Results:
A total of 94 undergraduate (BScPhm) pharmacy students participated in this study. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between those who completed the test under condition 1 and condition 2, suggesting reflection and self-assessment may contribute positively to improvement in critical thinking.
Conclusions:
Structured opportunities to reflect-in-action and self-assess may be associated with improvements among pharmacy students in performance of tasks related to critical thinking.
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