Materials, Methods & Technologies, Volume 4, 2010

Abstract: The goal of education is not to obtain qualification and certain skills for whole life any more since nowadays it is often necessary to change orientation of professional activity or to combine several fields of operation. Placing emphasis on high level of responsibility, professionalism and tendency for improvement is expected from medical students. A continuous flow of information puts medical students in front of a choice between already known and new. It is therefore necessary to think flexibly and to be ready to admit mistakes – it is necessary to be able to think critically. The main characteristic of such style of thinking as an intellectual system is ability to analyze all problems, to form systematic bonds, to distinguish contradictions and their solutions as well as to anticipate possible versions of solutions for given problems since intellectual development is not possible without reflection and critical thinking during the process of problem solving. While studying chemistry, students have an opportunity to use critical thinking methods for certain purposes – investigation of laws of nature. Development of critical thinking therefore is an integral component rather than the goal of medical education. Education method is based on the development of critical thinking during practical work, development of study process organization skills, critical analysis of information, situation modelling, self-assessment and self-dependence.