Complexity perspectives on clinical decision making in an intensive care unit

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Medical Decision Making
• Complexity Science

Background:

• Decision-making in intensive care units (ICUs) is often complex and challenging.
• Traditional analytical approaches may not fully capture the nuances of critical care scenarios.

Observation:

• Qualitative empirical research involved interviewing ICU practitioners about their decision-making processes in difficult clinical situations.
• Interview transcriptions were coded and analyzed using Maxqda software, with a focus on complexity thinking.

Findings:

• ICU practitioners initially relied on analytical knowledge with limited transdisciplinary interaction.
• A shift towards transdisciplinary practices and increased participation in decision-making was observed within the complex ICU environment.

Implications:

• Complexity thinking provides a more effective model for understanding transdisciplinary decision-making in ICUs compared to analytical methodologies.
• This approach enhances the understanding of how practitioners navigate complex patient care through collaborative and adaptive strategies.