Abstract
This multi-centre repeated measures study was undertaken to determine how contrasting designs of cognitive AIDS affect team performance during simulated intra-operative anaphylaxis crises. A total of 24 teams consisting of a consultant anaesthetist, an anaesthetic trainee and anaesthetic assistant managed three simulated intra-operative anaphylaxis emergencies. Each team was assigned at random to a counterbalanced order of: no cognitive aid; a linear cognitive aid; and a branched cognitive aid, and scored for team functioning. Scores were significantly higher with a linear compared with either a branched version of the cognitive aid or no cognitive aid for 'Team Overall Behavioural Performance', difference between study groups (F-value) 5.8, p = 0.01. Aggregate scores were higher with the linear compared with the branched aid design (p = 0.03). Cognitive AIDS improve co-ordination of the team's activities and support team members to verbalise their actions. A linear design of cognitive aid improves team functioning more than a branched design.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 389-404 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Anaesthesia |
Volume | 71 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2016 |