title: Measuring critical thinking dispositions of novice nursing students using human patient simulators.
abstract: This study assessed the influence of human patient simulator (HPS) practice on critical thinking dispositions in a sample of novice baccalaureate nursing students. Eighty-five second-year nursing students were randomly assigned to an experimental (n = 42) or a control (n = 43) group based on exposure to a 2-hour HPS practice session prior to a course competency examination. The California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI) was administered before and after the competency examination. No between-group differences were found on overall or subscale CCTDI mean scores. Within-group differences for the HPS practice group were significant for overall scores (p < 0.05) and the truth-seeking (p < 0.01) and judiciousness or maturity of judgment (p < 0.01) subscales. This preliminary data analysis suggests disposition gains for individual students practicing critical assessment skills using HPS. The cohort will be followed for 2 years to assess long-term critical thinking outcomes following practice with HPS.
authors.affiliation: William F. Connell School of Nursing, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA. woodr@bc.edu
authors.forename: Robin Y
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: Coleen E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Toronto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*; D013850:Thinking; D014481:United States