Effect of Teaching Critical Thinking on Social Skills Growth of Medical Sciences Students

Aims: Many experts believe that critical thinking teaching is effective in social activities and especially interactions. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of critical thinking education on the development of social skills of medical students. Materials & Methods: This quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test was done in 2013. The study population consisted of all first-year medical students at the Urmia University of Medical Sciences that among them 200 patients (100 patients in control group and 100 patients in experimental group) were selected using stratified random sampling method. The social skills of students were studied through Matson standardized questionnaire at pre-test and post-test (after critical thinking education). Data were analyzed using One-way analysis of covariance. Findings: Critical thinking education had a significant effect on appropriate social skills enhancement (p=0.003), inappropriate social skills reduction (p=0.005), reducing impulsive acting and being rebellious (p=0.002), supremacy (p=0.044), and enhancement of relationships with peers (p=0.0001). Conclusion: Critical thinking education is effective on development of social skills of medical students