The culture of criticism and argument in health education

A programme to introduce skills in critical analytical reading and writing in postgraduate tertiary students in Public Health Management is described. The students had considerable professional experience, but their previous academic learning did not require a critical-analytical approach. The ability to review and analyse past theory and practice and to critically analyse and evaluate public health programmes is an essential element of the skills required by graduates. The paper describes and discusses the teaching and learning strategies used in critical analysis sessions. The personal and systemic barriers to achieving substantial change in cultures of learning are reviewed. As a limited response to a perceived problem, significant changes in the ability of students to critically analyse published material and write appropriate essays were achieved. The value of critical analysis in public health is described and the implication for medical education at all levels is considered.