Critical Thinking Skills for The Trauma Registry Professional

By Michael Trelow, CSTR, CAISS

Critical thinking is defined as the “objective analysis and evaluation of an issue to form a judgment.” Key terms in this definition include objective analysis, evaluation, and judgment, which are essential components of the process. Critical thinking fosters effective problem-solving and creativity, and it underpins rational decision-making.

Below are realistic examples of how critical thinking resolved an issue for trauma registry professionals. The process of critical thinking involves five distinct phases.

By employing critical thinking techniques, the trauma service was able to quickly obtain EMS trip sheets. Initially, when the trauma service began distributing custom reports, it took some time for EMS agencies to recognize their value. However, once they did, they eagerly incorporated the reports into their performance improvement processes.

Over time, EMS agencies began contacting the Trauma Registry Professionals within 24 hours of patient drop-off to inquire about their reports. If they hadn’t left a trip sheet, the registrar would inform them, and the EMS agency would promptly send it over within five minutes. This change significantly reduced the time the Trauma Registry Professional spent on Mondays calling for trip sheets, from up to four hours to just 30 minutes. As a result, the trauma service received the trip sheets immediately and could promptly deliver reports back to the EMS agencies, enhancing communication between the two parties.

While no one is perfect at critical thinking, consistent practice offers a significant advantage. Strong critical thinking skills enable us to understand ourselves and our opinions better, and to examine diverse perspectives without fear or bias. These skills are invaluable tools for proactively addressing problems in both personal and professional contexts.