Decision Making On The Labor And Delivery Unit: An Investigation Of Influencing Factors

Keywords

health care; individual differences; naturalistic decision making; stress

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between negative affect (NA), decision-making style, time stress, and decision quality in health care. Background Health care providers must often make swift, high-stakes decisions. Influencing factors of the decision-making process in this context have been understudied. Method Within a sample of labor and delivery nurses, physicians, and allied personnel, we used self-report measures to examine the impact of trait factors, including NA, decision-making style, and perceived time stress, on decision quality in a situational judgment test (Study 1). In Study 2, we observed the influence of state NA, state decision-making style, state time stress, and their relationship with decision quality on real clinical decisions. Results In Study 1, we found that trait NA significantly predicted avoidant decision-making style. Furthermore, those who were higher on trait time stress and trait avoidant decision-making style exhibited poorer decisions. In Study 2, we observed associations between state NA with state avoidant and analytical decision-making styles. We also observed that these decision-making styles, when considered in tandem with time stress, were influential in predicting clinical decision quality. Conclusion NA predicts some decision-making styles, and decision-making style can affect decision quality under time stress. This is particularly true for state factors. Application Individual differences, such as affect and decision-making style, should be considered during selection. Training to reduce time stress perceptions should be provided.

Publication Date

9-1-2017

Publication Title

Human Factors

Volume

59

Issue

6

Number of Pages

937-955

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1177/0018720817703740

Socpus ID

85027330590 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85027330590

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