Thinking like an expert: surgical decision making as a cyclical process of being aware - 14/12/15
, Tavis Apramian b, Meredith Vanstone, Ph.D. c, Lorelei Lingard, Ph.D. d, Michael Ott, M.D. e, Thomas Forbes, M.D. f, Richard Novick, M.D. g, hAbstract |
Background |
Education researchers are studying the practices of high-stake professionals as they learn how to better train for flexibility under uncertainty. This study explores the “Reconciliation Cycle” as the core element of an intraoperative decision-making model of how experienced surgeons assess and respond to challenges.
Methods |
We analyzed 32 semistructured interviews using constructivist grounded theory to develop a model of intraoperative decision making. Using constant comparison analysis, we built on this model with 9 follow-up interviews about the most challenging cases described in our dataset.
Results |
The Reconciliation Cycle constituted an iterative process of “gaining” and “transforming information.” The cyclical nature of surgeons’ decision making suggested that transforming information requires a higher degree of awareness, not yet accounted by current conceptualizations of situation awareness.
Conclusions |
This study advances the notion of situation awareness in surgery. This characterization will support further investigations on how expert and nonexpert surgeons implement strategies to cope with unexpected events.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Highlights |
• | The cyclical nature of surgeon’s decision making during challenging and unexpected situations requires a higher degree of awareness. |
• | The core element of the decision-making process used by experienced surgeons to assess and respond to challenges can be described by a reconciliation cycle. |
• | Advancing the notion of situation awareness in surgery is required to better understand how expert surgeons create and implement strategies to cope with unexpected events. |
Keywords : Reconciliation cycle, Situation awareness, Decision making, Surgery
Plan
| Supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (123239) through an Open Operating Grant and by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (12/MERG-15) through a Medical Education Grant to conduct this research. |
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| The authors declare no conflicts of interest. |
Vol 211 - N° 1
P. 64-69 - janvier 2016 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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