Critical Thinking Practicum Reflection

Overall Reflection Where I began the semester thinking practicum class was just a place where I and others could complain freely about our placements, that notion began to change very quickly. I learned that while practicum class is a safe place to share our frustrations and concerns, it is also a place where we can learn to cope and confront those frustrations and concerns. Our class is more of a professional development group than a class, in which students can digest and unify important classroom material with the practical experience our placements provide. I also fully appreciate the diversity of our class, I have learned so much from others’ experiences not just at their placement but their life experience as well. During the first …show more content…
An example of me applying critical thinking was evidenced several times throughout the semester in my placement. After confronting several patients for positive drug screens, my supervisor instructed me to complete a relapse plan with the patients, I responded by politely refusing and questioning the timing of completing the plan. I used my critical judgment to determine that if a patient is suspected of being under the influence and a urine drug screen confirms that suspicion, completing a relapse plan with an intoxicated person may not be the most effective use of clinical time. I proposed to either follow-up with the patient the next day or to complete it during the patient’s next visit, and my supervisor agreed. I also drew upon my critical thinking skills in class as I help to brainstorm possible solutions to my peers’ dilemmas. Even though I am comfortable with my critical thinking abilities, I understand critical thinking skills is not something you can ever be fully competent at because there will always be more knowledge to obtain, and accompanying that newfound knowledge is the challenge of critically applying