The Institute of Medicine has identified cognitive mistakes as a major cause of medical error. Much has been learned in recent years about how individuals approach problems and how their thinking may be led astray by cognitive biases and the traditional methods (hypothetico-deductive reasoning) taught in medical and nursing school as part of clinical reasoning. Utilizing case discussion, this session will review fundamental principles underlying critical thinking, describe an inductive approach to problem solving, and outline strategies for teaching reasoning at the bedside.