Critical thinking: knowledge and skills for evidence-based practice

Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch. 2011 Jan;42(1):69-72; discussion 88-93. doi: 10.1044/0161-1461(2010/09-0037). Epub 2010 Jul 2.

Abstract

Purpose: I respond to Kamhi's (2011) conclusion in his article "Balancing Certainty and Uncertainty in Clinical Practice" that rational or critical thinking is an essential complement to evidence-based practice (EBP).

Method: I expand on Kamhi's conclusion and briefly describe what clinicians might need to know to think critically within an EBP profession. Specifically, I suggest how critical thinking is relevant to EBP, broadly summarize the relevant skills, indicate the importance of thinking dispositions, and outline the various ways our thinking can go wrong.

Conclusion: I finish the commentary by suggesting that critical thinking skills should be considered a required outcome of our professional training programs.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Awareness
  • Child
  • Curriculum
  • Empirical Research
  • Evidence-Based Practice*
  • Guideline Adherence*
  • Humans
  • Language Development Disorders / diagnosis
  • Language Development Disorders / therapy*
  • Language Therapy / education
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
  • Problem Solving
  • Professional Competence
  • Professional-Patient Relations
  • Quality of Health Care
  • Speech Disorders / diagnosis
  • Speech Disorders / therapy*
  • Speech Therapy / education
  • Thinking
  • Uncertainty*