The Association between Critical Thinking Skills and Decision-Making Skills towards Job Satisfaction amongst Healthcare Professionals

Abstract

Job satisfaction among healthcare professionals is an important factor in determining operational readiness, workforce stability and effective healthcare delivery, especially within structured and high-pressure healthcare environments. This research study will investigate the relationship between critical thinking skills and decision-making skills to job satisfaction among the personnel working in the Malaysian hospitals in Klang Valley. Drawing upon the Job Embeddedness Model, the research will examine the contribution of cognitive competencies to the perception of organisational fit, professional fulfilment and workforce sustainability. A quantitative cross-sectional research design will be used to analyse the proposed relationships. A sample of 200 healthcare professionals will be selected using systematics of random sampling to ensure adequate representation and statistical validity. Data will be gathered using structured questionnaires based on known data instruments on critical thinking disposition, decision-making patterns and job satisfaction. The responses will be measured using a five-point Likert scale. Statistical analyses will be performed using Version 30 of the statistical package Statistical Package and System (SPSS) including descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, Pearson correlation and multiple regression to test the hypothesised relationships. The study will hypothesise that both critical thinking skills and decision-making skills have a positive association with job satisfaction in healthcare settings. It is expected that improved cognitive competencies will reveal greater professional confidence, decreased clinical uncertainty, increased workplace engagement, and consequently, improved work satisfaction. By concentrating on cognitive capabilities needed for clinical judgement, ethical reasoning and operational effectiveness, this study will produce empirical information to support evidence-based human resource strategies, professional development initiatives and long-term resilience of healthcare in Malaysia.