Learning Style Priorities and Its Role in Critical Thinking Disposition among Nursing School Students in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Since critical thinking disposition is an essential component for clinical decision-making and professional qualifications in medical sciences education. Also, learning styles are one of the effective factors in tendency to critical thinking hence, it may be expected to be effective in the manner of clinical care by health professionals. This study aimed to find learning style priorities and its role in critical thinking disposition, among students of nursing and midwifery school in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Methods: In this descriptive and cross-sectional study, the population consisted of all undergraduate students (N=550) of nursing and midwifery school in Medical Sciences University of Mashhad (MUMS) in 2011-2012 academic year. A proportional stratified sample of 214 students was selected. The data gathering instruments included Ricketts’ tool for Critical Thinking Disposition (CTD), and Kolb's Learning Styles Inventory. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The frequency of preferred styles of students were: Divergent 32% (n=62), Assimilation 47.17% (n=92), Convergent 11.7% (n=23) and Accommodation 9.13% (n=18). The total mean score of Critical Thinking Disposition was 119.16±14.31. The mean scores of CTD were not significantly different among different learning styles (p=.21). However, the CTD mean scores was highest in students with convergent style (124.68±34.13) and lowest among students with assimilation style (117.77±14.04). The mean score of CTD among female students (119.0±14.76) was not significantly different (p=0.92) from male students (119.26±12.97). Conclusion: According to the unsatisfactory levels of CTD scores, and it’s highest values among students with Convergent learning style, it may be recommended to pay more attention to critical thinking and to provide conditions for adjustments in learning styles, so that students could cope with the nature of their and attain the optimal level CTD. These changes may be provided by revisions in the curriculum and education system.