Relationship between Critical Thinking Disposition and academic self-efficacy in Medical Clerks and Interns Students of Guilan

Nowadays critical thinking and academic self-efficacy play an important role in supporting academic progress in higher education and achieving success in the work environment. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the relationship between the tendency to critical thinking and academic self-efficacy Medical Clerks and Interns Students of Guilan University of Medical Sciences.

This cross-sectional analytical study was performed on 145 medical students in medical clerks and internships in 2021. Two questionnaires including critical thinking questionnaire and students’ academic self-efficacy questionnaire and demographic information were provided to the students. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics of the test (chi-square, independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient) through spss.

The results showed that a statistically significant relationship between academic self-efficacy and students' grade point average (P>0.001, x2=14.38). The study of students' critical thinking in three areas of creativity, maturity and commitment showed that 124 people (85.5%) had strong critical thinking.Also, There was a statistically significant difference between the tendency to critical thinking score with female gender (P=0.038, t=2.10), older age category (P=0.016, t=2.45) and higher academic average (P>0.001, f=11.78). Pearson correlation coefficient showed a positive correlation between tendency to critical thinking and academic self-efficacy(P>0.001, r=0.244)

Due to the relationship between the tendency to critical thinking and academic self-efficacy in medical students, training and strengthening critical thinking in medical students can strengthen their professional self-efficacy and professional growth.