Survey of critical thinking and clinical decision making in nursing student of Kerman University

The ability to think critically is an essential element in nursing education and more specifically in nurses' clinical decision making [CDM]. Critical thinking [CT] and CDM ability as well as their relationship were examined among nursing students of Kerman University. Study was designed in four towns: Kerman, Bam, Jiroft, and Zarand, settled in Kerman province. This research was a cross-sectional descriptive correlation study. 300 nursing students with different level of education were asked to fill two questionnaires including: [1] California Critical Thinking Skills Test [CCTST] and [2] Lauri and Salantera [2002] CDM instrument. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed with SPSS12 and descriptive and inferential statistics. Nursing students yielded a low score [mean = 5/40 from 20] of CT and a mild score [mean = 12.8 from 20] of CDM. We found positively correlation between male and CT and CDM score with mean score of the nursing student. Also CDM score in male was more than female but not significant, and Jirofts CDM nursing student was significantly better than other city. Although students that answers evaluation question in CCTST better can gave better CDM score but there isn't relationship between CT and CDM of nursing student. The finding showed that mean score of nursing student CT was low. Reason can be either due to the defects of nursing education program, teaching, and learning strategies.

[Investigation of medical stagers and interns satisfaction on OSCE as a clinical skill evaluation method in kerman university of medical sciences]

Exact and objective evaluation of professional competency is one of the most important aspects in medical students' clinical education. Objective structural clinical exam [OSCE] evaluates a large spectrum of technical and basic skills in an experimental setting. To determine the satisfaction of medical stagers and interns in Kerman University of Medical Sciences on evaluation based on OSCE. All the medical students experienced the OSCE were selected as the population of this cross-sectional research. To gather the data, a researcher - made questionnaire with a proper validity and reliability was used. The findings indicated the respondents having experienced OSCE totally got 76.4% of the total score of satisfaction, so they were satisfied with this evaluation method. The students agreed or completely agreed on 73.1% of the statements, and 13.9% selected disagreed or completely disagreed. Most of the students [93.80%] agreed on doing this method in other wards. A significant relationship [P<0.01] was observed between students' satisfaction and agreement on using this method in other educational groups but no difference was observed on other background variables. Since the students were satisfied with OSCE, it seems necessary to develop this evaluation method in all clinical groups