title: How mental health nurses improve their critical thinking through problem-based learning.
abstract: Critical thinking has been regarded as one of the most important elements for nurses to improve quality of patient care. The aim of this study was to use problem-based learning (PBL) as a method in a continuing education program to evaluate nurses' critical thinking skills. A quasiexperimental study design was carried out. The "Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory" in Chinese was used for data collection. The results indicated significant improvement after PBL continuous education, notably in the dimensions of systematic analysis and curiosity. Content analysis extracted four themes: (a) changes in linear thinking required, (b) logical and systematic thinking required performance improved, (3) integration of prior knowledge and clinical application, and (4) brainstorming learning strategy. The study supports PBL as a continuing education strategy for mental health nurses, and that systematic analysis and curiosity effectively facilitate the development of critical thinking.
authors.affiliation: Tsui-Mei Hung, MSN, is Nurse Supervisor, Nursing Department, Taipei City Hospital Songde Branch, and PhD Candidate, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan. Lee-Chun Tang, MSN, is Lecturer, Department of Nursing, Tzu Chi College of Technology, Hualien, and PhD Student, School of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan. Chen-Ju Ko, MSN, is Lecturer, Department of Nursing, Tzu Chi College of Technology, Hualien, and PhD Candidate, School of Nursing, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tsui-Mei
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Lee-Chun
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Chen-Ju
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Ko
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D013624:Taiwan; D013850:Thinking