From Classroom to Clinic: A Scoping Review of Critical Thinking and Decision-Making in Orthopaedic Education for Medical Students and Residents

This review examines existing literature on how orthopaedic education develops critical thinking and decision-making in medical students and residents.

Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and PubMed were searched for English-language studies published between 2015 and 2025. Twenty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Most involved residents (n = 19), fewer focused on medical students (n = 8), and one included both groups (n = 1). Five themes were identified: technology-enhanced learning, reflective and analytical practice, mentorship and professional development, curriculum design and integration, and assessment and feedback. Simulation and digital tools improved procedural reasoning and engagement. Reflection and mentorship supported analytical and diagnostic skills. Non-operative and outpatient decision-making were rarely explored. Orthopaedic education increasingly uses technology and active learning. However, structured development of critical thinking and decision-making remains limited, especially outside surgical settings and early training. Embedding reasoning, reflection, and mentorship in curricula may better connect classroom learning with clinical decision-making.