Correlations Between Critical Thinking, Self-esteem, Educational Status, and Demographic Information of Medical Students: A Study from Southwestern Iran

Background: Critical thinking and individual characteristics are essential components of conscious decision-making and professional competence in medical students. The critical thinking abilities of medical students have a significant impact on their professional decision-making process. It may have direct and indirect consequences on the quality of medical care. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between self-esteem, demographic information, educational status, and critical thinking of medical students. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 380 medical students in 2019. Data were collected using California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Quantitative variables were expressed as the mean and standard deviation and frequency and percentage were used to describe the qualitative variables. Results: The results of the study revealed that 332 (87.4%) of the medical students who participated in the study had a negative inclination towards critical thinking, and 48 (12.6%) had an ambivalent inclination. The average self-esteem score of the students was 3.09 ± 3.35. Moreover, there was a positive and significant correlation between critical thinking scores and self-esteem in medical students (correlation coefficient = 0.848; P < 0.001). An increase in the grade level increased the critical thinking score of the students. Moreover, there was no significant relationship between overall scores of critical thinking with students' age, gender, marital status, and place of residence. Conclusions: In the current study, critical thinking scores of medical students were lower than average level and weak, and there was a direct and positive relationship between critical thinking and self-esteem. Given the importance of critical thinking abilities in the clinical decision-making process, university educators are expected to pay more attention to developing this skill in medical students.