self-regulation as a central mechanism to collaboratively manage unexpected events in complex work environments
Within acute patient care that is characterized by highly dynamic work processes the competent and coordinated management of unexpected events is essential to patient safety. The qualitative analysis of interview data on coordination requirements and processes during cardiac anesthesia within the conceptual framework of cooperation by Wehner et al. (2000) highlights the central importance of anticipation in dealing with possible breaks in coordination. Our results underlined the heuristic value of this model regarding coordination and teamwork in complex environments. However, the discrepancies between data and the model point to areas that need further theoretical development such as the relationship between initial coordinatedness and self-regulation as well as the role of personal trust.
unexpected events cardiac anesthesia teamwork task interdependence adaptive coordination