Health, Social Care and Education: Developing Critical Thinking Skills

Thinking Critically in Health Care

Health professionals need to be  self-aware and be able to think critically and reflectively in order to understand information, prioritise actions and exercise professional judgement. Thinking critically  means that you are able to organise data and make sound choices. You need to be able to analyse and evaluate a range of options and explain clearly and concisely your rationale for your professional judgement.

A key skill needed in thinking critically is self-regulation, that means monitoring your own thinking processes. You should be able to reflect on the process that led you to a conclusion and be able to identify any bias or illogical assumptions you might make. Understanding yourself well will help you to self-correct in this process as needed.

This module is designed to give you the opportunity to develop a range of applied skills through active enquiry and reflection on your personal and professional identities. We hope you benefit from having time to think about who you are and what is important to you. We aim to encourage you to develop a broad understanding of the context and complexity of the health and social care issues that you will encounter on your learning journeys and professional career.

We hope that you find your studies on the module enjoyable, stimulating and challenging. Most of the questions you have can be answered by reading this handbook but please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or you feel that we might be of assistance.

We will communicate with you using myUniHub module notifications for generic messages. We will send any urgent and/or individual messages about the module to you by email, so please read your University email regularly.

This is an online course, so contact us by emailing your field lead and if you don’t hear back within 3 days please let the other leads know so we can help.

We want you to do well on this course and for us to keep improving this module so please let us know any feedback you have to offer. Feedback can also be given to the student voice leader for your programme.

Our most important consideration is your health, wellbeing and safety as well as our staff and people related to the University.

Engaging with online and on-campus in-person learning and activities is integral to your success.  Middlesex University supports students, enabling them to achieve their full potential. We provide this support through a number of strategies, all of which provide our students with a supportive learning environment online, remotely, face-to-face, or blended.

The programme of study you are undertaking is underpinned by developing professional behaviour and attitude. You are expected to behave in a professional, supportive manner to your peers and teachers. You must come to sessions prepared and ready to contribute where appropriate.  Please remember that your University ID should be carried with you always whilst on campus and you must be able to identify yourself if asked to do so. Please conduct your email communication with fellow students, tutors and all relevant staff in a formal and courteous manner. 

You should be aware of the University’s academic integrity and misconduct policies and procedures. Taking unfair advantage over other students in assessment is considered a serious offence by the University. Action will be taken against any student who contravenes the regulations through negligence, foolishness or deliberate intent. . Academic misconduct takes several forms, in particular:

1.Plagiarism – using extensive unacknowledged quotations from, or direct copying of, another person’s work and presenting it for assessment as if it were your own effort. This includes the use of third party essay writing services.

2. Collusion – working together with other students (without the tutor’s permission), and presenting similar or identical work for assessment.

3. Infringement of Exam Room Rules – Communication with another candidate, taking notes to your table in the exam room and/or referring to notes during the examination.

4. Self-Plagiarism – including any material which is identical or substantially similar to material that has already been submitted by you for another assessment in the University or elsewhere.

Students who attempt to gain unfair advantage over others through academic misconduct  will be penalised by sanctions, according to the severity of the offence, which can include exclusion from the University. Links to the relevant University regulations and additional support resources can be found here:Becoming a successful student Course which includes Academic Integrity.