Factors Influencing Nurses' Clinical Decision Making: Focusing on Critical Thinking Disposition

Park, Seungmi; Kwon, In Gak

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing nurses' clinical decision making focusing on critical thinking disposition. METHODS: The subjects of this study consisted of 505 nurses working at one of the general hospitals located in Seoul. Data was collected by a self-administered questionnaire between December 2006 and January 2007. Data was analyzed by one way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression using SPSS Win 14.0. RESULTS: The mean scores of critical thinking disposition and clinical decision making were 99.10 and 134.32 respectively. Clinical decision making scores were significantly higher in groups under continuing education, with a master or higher degree, with clinical experience more than 5 years, or with experts. Critical thinking disposition and its subscales have a significant correlation with clinical decision making. Intellectual eagerness/curiosity, prudence, clinical experience, intellectual honesty, self-confidence, and healthy skepticism were important factors influencing clinical decision making(adjusted R2=33%). CONCLUSION: Results of this study suggest that various strategies such as retaining experienced nurses, encouraging them to continue with education and enhancing critical thinking disposition are warranted for development of clinical decision making.