Scientific literacy: a goal of educating people in and for the health professions

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Dagostino, Lorraine^; | Carifio, James

Affiliations: 17 Royal Crest Drive # 10, Nashua, NH 03060, USA | University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author. Tel. + 1 603 891 2139.

Abstract: Scientific literacy driven by the underlying habits of scientific thinking should be the focus of educating people in the health professions. This article identifies 23 characteristics of scientific thinking as well as other concepts relevant to scientific literacy. Examples are provided as to how these characteristics and concepts apply to the work of medical lab technicians, nurses and medical researchers.

Keywords: Healthcare professionals, Healthcare training, Scientific thinking

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1997-9302

Journal: Work, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 199-208, 1997