The purpose of this discussion is to examine critical thinking skills used to make both professional and personal decisions. For tips on how to complete the required online discussions, watch the discussion basics video.
Follow the three-step plan
Complete your Initial Post by Wednesday at 11:59pm EST.
1. Read: Discussion Background
Being able to quickly think through and solve problems is an important skill in our personal lives, and it’s equally as important in our professional lives. We’re faced with decisions that we have to make each and every day but being able to make those decisions quickly and effectively can sometimes seem really hard to do. It can even create a lot of unneeded stress in our lives.
Watch Patrick McGinnis’ The Way We Work TED Talk. He discusses no stakes, low stakes, and high stakes decisions that we encounter in our everyday lives. He also mentions ways to help us quickly and effectively make decisions.
Refer to the information in the video, the Virtual Library and/or the Internet to conduct a search on critical thinking skills that can help you make both personal and professional decisions. Refer to this article about 6 Tips for Making Better Decisions as a starting point for your research.
2. Initial Post: Create a new thread and answer all three parts of the initial prompt below
Introduce yourself to your instructor and classmates. Be sure to include the following:
- Describe a time you struggled with making a decision.
- Explain why critical thinking skills are important when making a decision.
- Describe one decision-making strategy that could be most helpful in a job as an allied healthcare professional.
Complete your Reply Posts by Sunday at 11:59 pm EST.
3. Reply Posts: Reply to two people on different days.
To add to the academic conversation, reply to your classmates/instructor by introducing a new idea that applies personal experience(s) and/or new knowledge gained from either courtroom material(s) or research (UMA Library). Make sure your reply is substantive. For example, How were your thoughts and ideas similar or different? Do you agree or disagree with their point of view, and why or why not? Remember to build on your classmates’ posts and expand the conversation as if you were all sitting in the same room having a face-to-face discussion.
question 22
1. Read: Discussion Background
Jacey works as a receptionist at a medical office. While performing all the office duties, as well as greeting patients as they check-in for appointments, she developed an idea that could make the check-in process faster and the paperwork more efficient and streamlined.
She wants to share this information with her supervisor, so she scheduled a meeting at the end of the week. However, she’s beginning to feel nervous about pitching her idea because she’s worried that her supervisor will think she’s working outside of her role and overstepping her position. Her co-worker tells her to stop being worried and focus on how this meeting could highlight her communication skills and professionalism at the office.
Refer to the following resources to help write a response to the following prompts. You can also refer to the Virtual Library to help you generate ideas.
Chapter 01: Aplia Assignment
Improve Communication Skills for Workplace SuccessPresenting Ideas at WorkBuild an Unbeatable Professional Image
2. Initial Post: Create a new thread and answer all three parts of the initial prompt below
Respond to the following prompts in your initial post.
- Discuss one recommendation to help Jacey prepare for the meeting with her supervisor.
- Describe one communication strategy that Jacey can use when presenting the idea to her supervisor.
- Explain how Jacey can best present a professional image to her supervisor during the meeting.
Complete your Reply Posts by Sunday at 11:59pm EST.
3. Reply Posts: Reply to two people on different days.
To add to the academic conversation, reply to your classmates/instructor by introducing a new idea that applies personal experience(s) and/or new knowledge gained from either courseroom material(s) or research (UMA Library).
To ensure that your reply meets grading expectations, your responses could include:
- Additional insights
- Explanation of why you agree or disagree
- Personal experiences
- New knowledge gained
To learn more about Discussion features, review Discussion Help.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In the field of medicine, critical thinking skills play a crucial role in decision-making, both professionally and personally. As a medical professor responsible for designing and conducting lectures, evaluating student performance, and providing feedback through examinations and assignments, I understand the importance of cultivating these skills in medical college students. In this discussion, we will explore the significance of critical thinking skills in decision-making and provide answers to the given prompts.
Answer to Prompt 1:
Describe a time you struggled with making a decision.
During my residency, I struggled with a decision regarding a patient’s treatment plan. The patient presented with symptoms that could be attributed to multiple conditions, and the differential diagnosis was complex. As I reviewed the patient’s history, test results, and consulted with my colleagues, the uncertainty and conflicting opinions made it challenging to make a definitive decision.
Answer to Prompt 2:
Explain why critical thinking skills are important when making a decision.
Critical thinking skills are crucial when making decisions because they allow individuals to analyze information objectively, consider multiple perspectives, and evaluate the potential outcomes and consequences of each option. In the medical field, where lives are at stake, the ability to think critically enables healthcare professionals to make informed decisions based on evidence, logical reasoning, and ethical considerations.
Answer to Prompt 3:
Describe one decision-making strategy that could be most helpful in a job as an allied healthcare professional.
One decision-making strategy that could be helpful in an allied healthcare professional’s job is the utilization of the SWOT analysis. A SWOT analysis involves evaluating the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats associated with the various options available. By systematically assessing these factors, allied healthcare professionals can make more informed decisions, considering both internal factors (such as their own capabilities) and external factors (such as the impact on patients and the healthcare system).
Answer to Prompt 1:
Discuss one recommendation to help Jacey prepare for the meeting with her supervisor.
One recommendation to help Jacey prepare for the meeting with her supervisor is to gather relevant data and evidence to support her idea. By backing her proposal with factual information, such as statistics on efficiency improvements or examples from other medical offices that implemented similar measures successfully, Jacey can demonstrate the viability and potential benefits of her idea to her supervisor.
Answer to Prompt 2:
Describe one communication strategy that Jacey can use when presenting the idea to her supervisor.
One effective communication strategy that Jacey can use when presenting her idea to her supervisor is active listening. By actively listening to her supervisor’s concerns, questions, and feedback, Jacey can respond appropriately and demonstrate her willingness to collaborate. This strategy can help create a positive and open dialogue, allowing her to address potential objections and adjust her proposal accordingly.
Answer to Prompt 3:
Explain how Jacey can best present a professional image to her supervisor during the meeting.
To present a professional image to her supervisor during the meeting, Jacey should focus on maintaining a confident yet respectful demeanor. This can be achieved by using professional language, maintaining appropriate body posture, and demonstrating active engagement in the discussion. Additionally, Jacey should be prepared to articulate her ideas clearly and concisely, showcasing her knowledge and expertise while being receptive to feedback and displaying a cooperative attitude.
