title: Antidote Dilemma--an activity to promote critical thinking.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In a health care environment of increased patient acuity and greater demands on nursing practitioners, the ability to think critically is requisite to functioning safely and proficiently.
  
  
  METHODS
  Definitions and tenets of critical thinking promulgated by Brookfield (1987) and Paul (1992) provided the theoretical foundation for Antidote Dilemma, an activity designed to promote critical thinking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nurses who participated in the activity identified plausible solutions to a nursing dilemma, considered context in identifying alternatives, and thought about their thinking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Critical thinking is most likely to occur and continue when it is supported by others and repeatedly practiced. Continuing/staff-development educators play a vital role in promoting critical thinking among nursing practitioners.
authors.affiliation: Nassau Community College, Garden City, New York, USA.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mottola
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005717:Games, Experimental; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D016389:Maternal-Child Nursing / Q000193:education*; D009736:Nursing Process; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D011295:Prenatal Care; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D013850:Thinking