Objective: To examine whether self-assessment and reflection-in-action improves critical thinking among pharmacy students.
Methods: A 24-item standardized test of critical thinking was developed utilizing previously-validated questions. Participants were divided into 2 groups (conditions). Those in condition 1 completed the test with no interference; those in condition 2 completed the test but were prompted at specific points during the test to reflect and self-assess.
Results: A total of 94 undergraduate (BScPhm) pharmacy students participated in this study. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between those who completed the test under condition 1 and condition 2, suggesting reflection and self-assessment may contribute positively to improvement in critical thinking.
Conclusions: Structured opportunities to reflect-in-action and self-assess may be associated with improvements among pharmacy students in performance of tasks related to critical thinking.
Keywords: critical thinking; reflection; self-assessment.