Cognitive ability as well as psychomotor ability distinguishes the professional sonographer. The process of critical thinking is an essential component of sonography. However, the concept of critical thinking requires more explicit acknowledgement from the profession in order to promote change in educational strategies leading to better clinical practice. This article represents the rationale for developing critical thinking skills in student sonographers and discusses possible barriers to thinking critically. Strategies for promoting critical thinking skills in both the classroom and the clinical situation will be explored.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Department of Health1989. Education and Training: NHS Review, Working Paper 10. LondonHMSO.
2.
SaxtonHM. Editorial: Should Radiologists Report on Every Film?Clinical Radiology1992; 45: 1–3.
3.
BloomBS (Ed). Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. Harper & Row, New York, 1956.
4.
EnnisRH. A Taxonomy of Critical Thinking Dispositions and Abilities. In BoykoffBaron JSternbergRJ (Eds.): Teaching Thinking Skills; WH Freeman, New York, 1987.
5.
QuellmalzES. Developing Reasoning Skills. In BoykoffBaron JSternbergRJ (Eds.): Teaching Thinking Skills; WH Freeman, New York, 1987.
6.
MeyersC.Teaching Students to Think Critically; JosseBass, San Francisco, 1986.
7.
Kataoka-YahiroMSaylorC.A Critical Thinking Model for Nursing Judgement. Journal of Nursing Education1994; 33(8): 351–356.
8.
O'ConnorG.Reflection on Clinical Practice: A Means of Fostering Professional Development. Radiography1996; 2: 3–56.
9.
PrimeNMilburnP.Developing the Reflective Practitioner in Radiography. Medical Teacher1996 (submitted).
10.
BrookfieldSD. Developing Critical Thinkers. Open University Press, 1987.
11.
GloverGDooleyCHoggP.Accreditation of the Diploma in Medical Ultrasound. Radiography Today1993; 59: 678 p20–21.
12.
NickersonRS. Why Teach Thinking. In BoykoffBaron JSternbergRJTeaching Thinking Skills; WH Freeman, New York.
13.
MarshallLARowlandF.A Guide to Learning Independently. Open University Press, 1983.
14.
MaiseyMNHuttonJ.Guidelines for the Evaluation of Radiological Technologies. British Institute of Radiology; London, 1991.
15.
ShirleyIMBlackwellRJCusickGFarmanDJVicaryFR. A User's Guide to Diagnostic Ultrasound. Pitman Medical1978.
16.
EntwistleN.Styles of Learning and Teaching. John Wiley and Sons, Chichester, 1981.
