Dialectics of reflective and critical thinking around of professional nursing care

Abstract

Introduction. Currently, Nursing establishes as one of its needs to provide evidence-based care, however, it is necessary to consider that higher-order skills such as reflective and critical thinking are required as the basis for innovating in professional practice.

Objective. Characterize the dialectical relationship of the application of reflective and critical thinking in professional nursing care in the surgical field. Evidencing the theoretical proposal where decision making, leadership and autonomy are constructs dependent on this way of thinking.

Methodology. Research-action, with a qualitative approach based on the critical-dialectical method, 20 nursing professionals from the surgical area were interviewed. This research is organized in three phases (diagnosis, intervention, and evaluation). For the analysis of the three phases, content analysis based on axial categorization was applied, where the core is the application of reflective and critical thinking and the sub-cores: decision-making. decisions, leadership, and autonomy.

Results. Among the testimonies of the diagnostic phase, it is noted how the participants justify their decision-making according to experience, their leadership is exercised from knowledge and ability, while autonomy is a recognition process that they receive from the multidisciplinary team. After the seminar, the main finding is the modification in the perception of this thought and the link they make with these constructs to improve their professional practice, becoming agents of change in the way of explaining, with colleagues, students and patients, a care based on this thought process.

Conclusions. It is necessary to modify the preconception of the care provided by the professional in the surgical field, extending a bridge between the technical/technological activities and those of accompaniment and comfort through the application of reflective and critical thinking.