Critical thinking among environmental health undergraduates and implications for the profession.
During a study conducted in 2000-2002, the critical-thinking dispositions of undergraduate environmental health students at Illinois State University were found to have significant shortcomings. The critical-thinking-disposition scores were comparable to those of other undergraduates throughout the United States and Canada; nevertheless, these findings have significant implications for environmental health academic programs and the profession. Environmental health professionals commonly confront "ill-structured" problems, for which critical thiking is an essential skill. In addition, the challenges faced by the profession in terms of recognition, funding, and public support require a high level of critical thinking. This paper provides a number of recommendations for academic programs and professionals.
Jin
Guang
G
Department of Health Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal 61790, USA. gjin@ilstu.edu
Bierma
Thomas J
TJ
Broadbear
James T
JT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D004782:Environmental Health; D019550:Environmental Medicine / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D008297:Male; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D011361:Professional Competence