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A protocol for the development of a critical thinking assessment tool for nurses using a Delphi technique
Author(s) -
Jacob Elisabeth,
Duffield Christine,
Jacob Darren
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of advanced nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.948
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1365-2648
pISSN - 0309-2402
DOI - 10.1111/jan.13306
Subject(s) - protocol (science) , delphi method , delphi , critical thinking , medline , medical education , psychology , nursing , medicine , computer science , process management , engineering , alternative medicine , pedagogy , political science , artificial intelligence , law , pathology , operating system
Aim The aim of this study was to develop an assessment tool to measure the critical thinking ability of nurses. Background As an increasing number of complex patients are admitted to hospitals, the importance of nurses recognizing changes in health status and picking up on deterioration is more important. To detect early signs of complication requires critical thinking skills. Registered Nurses are expected to commence their clinical careers with the necessary critical thinking skills to ensure safe nursing practice. Currently, there is no published tool to assess critical thinking skills which is context specific to Australian nurses. Design A modified Delphi study will be used for the project. Methods This study will develop a series of unfolding case scenarios using national health data with multiple‐choice questions to assess critical thinking. Face validity of the scenarios will be determined by an expert reference group of clinical and academic nurses. A Delphi study will determine the answers to scenario questions. Panel members will be expert clinicians and educators from two states in Australia. Rasch analysis of the questionnaire will assess validity and reliability of the tool. Funding for the study and Research Ethics Committee approval were obtained in March and November 2016, respectively. Discussion Patient outcomes and safety are directly linked to nurses’ critical thinking skills. This study will develop an assessment tool to provide a standardized method of measuring nurses’ critical thinking skills across Australia. This will provide healthcare providers with greater confidence in the critical thinking level of graduate Registered Nurses.