The role of interactive scenarios in simulation training for improving the critical thinking of medical students

The aim of the article is to determine the effectiveness of simulation training for the development of critical thinking in medical students. The Starkey’s Critical Thinking Test and specialized observation of the critical thinking of doctors in their professional activities were used to check the levels of the studied parameters. The initial diagnostics showed a predominance of low indicators of the general critical thinking of dental students. The medium and low indicators of the parameter were distributed almost equally in the sample of surgical students. The samples recorded a similar division of persons with low, medium, and high levels of critical thinking in professional activity. The delivered simulation training with interactive scenarios resulted in a slight increase in the general indicators of critical thinking in the experimental group (EG) of dental students. No significant dynamics of results for this parameter were recorded in other samples. Critical thinking in professional situations shows positive changes in all control groups (CG) and EGs as a result of simulation training. Therefore, it can be unequivocally stated that educational simulations are an effective tool for the development of clinical thinking. The implementation of interactive scenarios can provide an additional developmental effect. The obtained data enable making the development of professional competencies in medical students more effective. Further research may focus on studying the influence of simulation training on the critical thinking of medical students in other fields (therapeutic, traumatology, neurology, etc.).