Introduction: Medical science as an empirical science and, like other
empirical sciences, is not a massive collection of data that can lead to
becoming physicians without any analysis and true thinking
In fact medical data, like other concepts, must be processed in mind as
a raw material and then be applied . Critical thinking is a set of skills
and methods of thinking that helps us as physicians for better
understanding and applying medical data.
Methods: Since the purpose of this article is to clarify the concept of
critical thinking, books and articles in this field have been reviewed in
both the medical and non-medical context , especially in philosophical and
psychological texts. In addition to the information collected in books and
articles in this field, it was attempted to apply the results in the field
of medicine by deductive and inductive reasoning principles .
Results: Critical thinking has many definitions, but one of its most comprehensive
definitions is disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, open-minded,
and informed byevidence"
When practicing medical science, a physician needs to apply the principles
of critical thinking when gathering information from patients and
designing treatment plan for them.
Conclusion: The physician should try to refer to reliable sources and texts for
information
* The physician must be open minded toward opinions of others and even
his patients and not resist against them if he finds them right
The physician must be familiar with the rational and logical principles of
thinking, reasoning , argument and inference such as deductive and
inductive principle of reasoning .
Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is an example of a critical thinking-based
paradigm, but we should not forget that critical thinking is not limited to
it.