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Zaphir JS, Murphy KA, MacQuarrie AJ, Stainer MJ. Understanding The Role of Cognitive Load In Paramedical Contexts: A Systematic Review. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2024:1-23. [PMID: 38922409 DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2024.2370491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Objectives: Cognitive load refers to the working memory resources required during a task. When the load is too high or too low this has implications for an individual's task performance. In the context of paramedicine and emergency medical services (EMS) broadly, high cognitive load could potentially put patient and personnel safety at risk. This systematic review aimed to determine the current understanding of the role of cognitive load in paramedical contexts.Methods: To do this, five databases were searched (Elsevier Embase, ProQuest Psychology, CINAHL, Ovid Medline, and Ovid PsychINFO) using synonyms of cognitive load and paramedical contexts. Included articles were full text, peer reviewed empirical research, with a focus on cognitive load and EMS work. Two reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full text using a traffic light system against the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE framework. This study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022384246). No funding was received for this research.Results: The searches identified 73 unique articles and after title/abstract and full text screening, 25 articles were included in the final review. Synthesis of the research revealed 10 categories of findings in the area. These are clinical performance, cognitive processes, emotional responses, physical expenditure, physiological responses, equipment and ergonomics, expertise and experience, multiple loads, cognitive load measures, and task complexity.Conclusions: From these findings it was determined that there is agreement in terms of what factors influence cognitive load in paramedical contexts, such as cognitive processes, task complexity, physical expenditure, level of experience, multiple types of loads, and the use of equipment. Cognitive load influences clinical task performance and has a bi-directional relationship with emotion. However, the literature is mixed regarding physiological responses to cognitive load, and how they are best measured. These findings highlight potential intervention points where cognitive load can be managed or reduced to improve working conditions for EMS clinicians and safety for their patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine S Zaphir
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia 4222
| | - Karen A Murphy
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia 4222
| | | | - Matthew J Stainer
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia 4222
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Tscholl DW, Rössler J, Said S, Kaserer A, Spahn DR, Nöthiger CB. Situation Awareness-Oriented Patient Monitoring with Visual Patient Technology: A Qualitative Review of the Primary Research. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 20:E2112. [PMID: 32283625 PMCID: PMC7180744 DOI: 10.3390/s20072112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Visual Patient technology is a situation awareness-oriented visualization technology that translates numerical and waveform patient monitoring data into a new user-centered visual language. Vital sign values are converted into colors, shapes, and rhythmic movements-a language humans can easily perceive and interpret-on a patient avatar model in real time. In this review, we summarize the current state of the research on the Visual Patient, including the technology, its history, and its scientific context. We also provide a summary of our primary research and a brief overview of research work on similar user-centered visualizations in medicine. In several computer-based studies under various experimental conditions, Visual Patient transferred more information per unit time, increased perceived diagnostic certainty, and lowered perceived workload. Eye tracking showed the technology worked because of the way it synthesizes and transforms vital sign information into new and logical forms corresponding to the real phenomena. The technology could be particularly useful for improving situation awareness in settings with high cognitive demand or when users must make quick decisions. This comprehensive review of Visual Patient research is the foundation for an evaluation of the technology in clinical applications, starting with a high-fidelity simulation study in early 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Werner Tscholl
- Institute of Anesthesiology, University and University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland; (J.R.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (D.R.S.); (C.B.N.)
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Tscholl DW, Handschin L, Rössler J, Weiss M, Spahn DR, Nöthiger CB. It's not you, it's the design - common problems with patient monitoring reported by anesthesiologists: a mixed qualitative and quantitative study. BMC Anesthesiol 2019; 19:87. [PMID: 31138143 PMCID: PMC6540409 DOI: 10.1186/s12871-019-0757-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Patient monitoring is critical for perioperative patient safety as anesthesiologists routinely make crucial therapeutic decisions from the information displayed on patient monitors. Previous research has shown that today’s patient monitoring has room for improvement in areas such as information overload and alarm fatigue. The rationale of this study was to learn more about the problems anesthesiologists face in patient monitoring and to derive improvement suggestions for next-generation patient monitors. Methods We conducted a two-center qualitative/quantitative study. Initially, we interviewed 120 anesthesiologists (physicians and nurses) about the topic: common problems with patient monitoring in your daily work. Through deductive and inductive coding, we identified major topics and sub themes from the interviews. In a second step, a field survey, a separate group of 25 anesthesiologists rated their agree- or disagreement with central statements created for all identified major topics. Results We identified the following six main topics: 1. “Alarms,” 2. “Artifacts,” 3. “Software,” 4. “Hardware,” 5. “Human Factors,” 6. “System Factors,” and 17 sub themes. The central statements rated for the major topics were: 1. “problems with alarm settings complicate patient monitoring.” (56% agreed) 2. “artifacts complicate the assessment of the situation.” (64% agreed) 3. “information overload makes it difficult to get an overview quickly.” (56% agreed) 4. “problems with cables complicate working with patient monitors.” (92% agreed) 5. “factors related to human performance lead to critical information not being perceived.” (88% agreed) 6. “Switching between monitors from different manufacturers is difficult.” (88% agreed). The ratings of all statements differed significantly from neutral (all p < 0.03). Conclusion This study provides an overview of the problems anesthesiologists face in patient monitoring. Some of the issues, to our knowledge, were not previously identified as common problems in patient monitoring, e.g., hardware problems (e.g., cable entanglement and worn connectors), human factor aspects (e.g., fatigue and distractions), and systemic factor aspects (e.g., insufficient standardization between manufacturers). An ideal monitor should transfer the relevant patient monitoring information as efficiently as possible, prevent false positive alarms, and use technologies designed to improve the problems in patient monitoring. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12871-019-0757-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Tscholl
- Institute of Anesthesiology, University and University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Lucas Handschin
- Institute of Anesthesiology, University and University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Julian Rössler
- Institute of Anesthesiology, University and University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mona Weiss
- Department of Management, School of Business and Economics, Free University of Berlin, Garystrasse 21, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Donat R Spahn
- Institute of Anesthesiology, University and University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christoph B Nöthiger
- Institute of Anesthesiology, University and University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
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Tscholl DW, Weiss M, Handschin L, Spahn DR, Nöthiger CB. User perceptions of avatar-based patient monitoring: a mixed qualitative and quantitative study. BMC Anesthesiol 2018; 18:188. [PMID: 30537934 PMCID: PMC6290504 DOI: 10.1186/s12871-018-0650-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A new patient monitoring technology called Visual Patient, which transforms numerical and waveform data into a virtual model (an avatar) of the monitored patient, has been shown to improve the perception of vital signs compared to conventional patient monitoring. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the opinions of potential future users regarding the new technology, we have analyzed the answers of two large groups of anesthetists using two different study methods. METHODS First, we carried out a qualitative analysis guided by the "consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research" checklist. For this analysis, we interviewed 128 anesthesiologists, asking: "Where do you see advantages in Visual Patient monitoring?" and afterward identified major and minor themes in their answers. In a second study, an online survey with 38 anesthesiologists at two different institutions, we added a quantitative part in which anesthesiologists rated statements based on the themes identified in the prior analysis on an ordinal rating scale. RESULTS We identified four high-level themes: "quick situation recognition," "intuitiveness," "unique design characteristics," and "potential future uses," and eight subthemes. The quantitative questions raised for each major theme were: 1. "The Visual Patient technology enabled me to get a quick overview of the situation." (63% of the participants agreed or very much agreed to this statement). 2. "I found the Visual Patient technology to be intuitive and easy to learn." (82% agreed or very much agreed to this statement). 3. "The visual design features of the Visual Patient technology (e.g., the avatar representation) are not helpful for patient monitoring." (11% agreed to this statement). 4. "I think the Visual Patient technology might be helpful for non-monitor experts (e.g., surgeons) in the healthcare system." (53% of the participants agreed or strongly agreed). CONCLUSION This mixed method study provides evidence that the included anesthesiologists considered the new avatar-based technology to be intuitive and easy to learn and that the technology enabled them to get an overview of the situation quickly. Only a few users considered the avatar presentation to be unhelpful for patient monitoring and about half think it might be useful for non-experts.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Tscholl
- Institute of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Mona Weiss
- Leipzig University, Städtisches Kaufhaus, 04109, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Lucas Handschin
- Institute of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Donat R Spahn
- Institute of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christoph B Nöthiger
- Institute of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
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Using an animated patient avatar to improve perception of vital sign information by anaesthesia professionals. Br J Anaesth 2018; 121:662-671. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2018.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Almghairbi DS, Marufu TC, Moppett IK. Anaesthesia workload measurement devices: qualitative systematic review. BMJ SIMULATION & TECHNOLOGY ENHANCED LEARNING 2018; 4:112-116. [DOI: 10.1136/bmjstel-2017-000263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BackgroundManagement of mental workload is a key aspect of safety in anaesthesia but there is no gold-standard tool to assess mental workload, risking confusion in clinical and research use of such tools.ObjectiveThis review assessed currently used mental workload assessment tools.MethodsA systematic literature search was performed on the following electronic databases; Cochrane, EMBASE, MEDLINE, SCOPUS and Web of Science. Screening and data extraction were performed individually by two authors. We included primary published papers focusing on mental workload assessment tools in anaesthesia.ResultsA total of 2331 studies were screened by title, 32 by full text and 24 studies met the inclusion criteria. Six mental workload measurement tools were observed across included studies. Reliability for the Borg rating scales and Vibrotactile device was reported in two individual studies. The rest of the studies did not record reliability of the tool measurements used. Borg rating scales, NASA-TLX and task-oriented mental work load measurements are subjective, easily available, readily accessible and takes a few minutes to complete. However, the vibrotactile and eye-tracking methods are objective, require more technical involvement, considerable time for the investigator and moderately expensive, impacting their potential use.ConclusionWe found that the measurement of mental workload in anaesthesia is an emerging field supporting patient and anaesthetist safety. The self-reported measures have the best evidence base.
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Lee K, Kim MJ, Park J, Park JM, Kim KH, Shin DW, Kim H, Jeon W, Kim H. The effect of distraction by dual work on a CPR practitioner's efficiency in chest compression: A randomized controlled simulation study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2017; 96:e8268. [PMID: 29068995 PMCID: PMC5671828 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000008268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the clinical setting, the dispersed practitioners' attention often leads to decreased competence in their performance. We aimed to investigate the effect of distracted practitioners on the quality of chest compression during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. METHODS A randomized controlled crossover simulation study was conducted. Participants were recruited from among doctors, nurses, and paramedics working in a university tertiary hospital. The paced auditory serial addition test (PASAT) was used as a tool for distracting participants. In the crossover design, each participant played 2 scenarios with a 20-minute time gap, by a random order; 2-minute continuous chest compressions with and without PASAT being conducted. The primary outcome was the percentage of compression with an adequate compression rate. Secondary outcomes were the percentage of compression with adequate depth, the percentage of compression with full chest wall recoil, mean compression rate (per minute), mean compression depth, and subjective difficulty of chest compression. RESULTS Forty-four participants were enrolled, and all of them completed the study. It was found that the percentage of compression with an adequate compression rate was lower when the PASAT was conducted. Although there was no difference in the percentage of compression with adequate depth (P = .88), the percentage of compression with complete chest recoil was lower when PASAT was conducted. In addition, while the mean compression rate was higher when PASAT was conducted, the mean compression depth was not significantly different (P = .65). The subjective difficulty was not different (P = .69). CONCLUSIONS Health care providers who are distracted have a negative effect on the quality of chest compression, in terms of its rate and chest wall recoil. TRIAL REGISTRATION www.ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03124290.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwangchun Lee
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang
| | - Min Joung Kim
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Junseok Park
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang
| | - Joon Min Park
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang
| | - Kyung Hwan Kim
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang
| | - Dong Wun Shin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang
| | - Hoon Kim
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang
| | - Woochan Jeon
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang
| | - Hyunjong Kim
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang
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