5. In the definition and analysis steps of reflective thinking, do not confuse the causes of the problem with its symptoms. A fever and headache are symptoms, not necessarily causes, of a patient’s ill health. The cause may be a cold or flu virus or a number of other things.

A doctor tries to identify the cause of symptoms by running tests and analyzing a patient’s medical history. In other words, a doctor needs to define, analyze, and solve a problem.
You should try to clarify the differences between the causes and the symptoms (effects) of a problem. Perhaps your only goal is to alleviate the symptoms. However, you can better understand your group’s goal if you can distinguish causes and symptoms.