Cognitive and Metacognitive Processes Demonstrated by the Pharmacy Students When Making Therapeutic Decisions

Abstract

Objective. To characterize the types of cognitive and metacognitive processes demonstrated by third-year pharmacy students during a therapeutic reasoning activity.

Methods. A qualitative, descriptive study following a think-aloud protocol was used to analyze the cognitive (analytical) and metacognitive processes observed by third-year pharmacy students as they completed a 25-minute therapeutic reasoning activity. Using a deductive codebook developed from literature about reasoning, two independent coders characterized processes from audio-recorded, transcribed student think-aloud episodes while making therapeutic decisions about simulated clinical cases.

Results. A total of 40 think-aloud episodes were transcribed amongst the cohort. Categorization of the think-aloud transcriptions revealed a series of cognitive analytical and metacognitive processes demonstrated by students during the therapeutic decision-making activity. A total of 1,792 codes were categorized as analytical processes, falling into six major themes: 69% gathering information (1,232/1,792), 13% processing information (227/1,792), 7% making assessments (133/1,792), 1% synthesizing information (19/1,792), 7% articulating evidence (117/1,792) and 4% making a recommendation (64/1,792). In comparison to gathering information, a much lower frequency of processing and assessment was observed by students, particularly for those that were unable to resolve the case. Students’ movement between major analytical processes co-occurred commonly with metacognitive processes. Of the 918 codes categorized as metacognitive processes the two major themes were: 28% monitoring for knowledge or emotions (257/918) and 72% controlling the planning of next steps or verification of correct information (661/918). Sequencing the codes and co-occurrences of processes allowed us to propose an integrated cognitive/metacognitive model of therapeutic reasoning for students.

Conclusion. This study categorizes the cognitive (analytical) and metacognitive processes engaged during pharmacy students’ therapeutic reasoning process. The findings can inform current instructional practices and further research into educational activities that can strengthen pharmacy student therapeutic reasoning skills.