PubMed Health⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 8262027

Analysing communication in complex distributed decision-making.

J Rogalski·R Samurçay
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

This paper analyses emergency tasks within the theoretical framework of dynamic environment management with distributed decision-making (DDM). Models of task and work organization are used to analyse verbal exchanges in order to infer collective strategies. A cross-analysis method serves to analyse communication from the standpoint of both semantics and structure of the exchanges. The findings of two empirical comparative studies show that invariants vs differences in the organization and the semantics of exchanges are associated with invariants vs differences in parameters of the situations themselves (initial state and final result of actions). Efficient strategies were linked with well-structured flow of communication and roles distribution.

Explore related subjects

CommunicationDecision MakingEmergenciesHumansJournal Article

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

J Rogalski, R Samurçay. 1993. Analysing communication in complex distributed decision-making.. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139308968003

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed1998

The origin, content, and workload of e-mail consultations.

CONTEXT: Despite the common use of e-mail, little beyond anecdote or impressions has been published on patient-clinician e-mail consultation. OBJECTIVE: To report our experiences with free-of-charge e-mail consultations. DESIGN: Retrospective review of all e-mail consultation requests received between November 1, 1995, and June 31, 1998. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive e-mail consultation requests sent to the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology at the Children's Medical Center of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of consultation requests per month, time required to respond, who initiated the request and their geographic origin, and the kind of information requested in the consultation. RESULTS: During the 33-month period studied, we received 1239 requests, an average (SD) of 37.6 (15.9) each month. A total of 1001 consultation requests (81%) were initiated by parents, relatives, or guardians, 126 (10%) by physicians, and 112 (9%) by other health care professionals. Consultation requests were received from 39 states and 37 other countries. In 855 requests (69%), there was a specific question about the cause of a particular child's symptoms, diagnostic tests, and/or therapeutic interventions. In 112 (9%), the requester sought a second opinion about diagnosis or treatment for a particular child, and 272 consultations (22%) requested general information concerning a disorder, treatment, or medication without reference to a particular child. A total of 1078 requests (87%) were answered within 48 hours of the initial request. On average, reading and responding to each e-mail took slightly less than 4 minutes. CONCLUSION: E-mail provides a means for parents, guardians, and health care professionals to obtain patient and disease-specific information from selected medical consultants in a timely manner.

Communication↗
PubMed1998

On call and online: sociohistorical, legal, and ethical implications of e-mail for the patient-physician relationship.

Increased use of e-mail by physicians, patients, and other health care organizations and staff has the potential to reshape the current boundaries of relationships in medical practice. By comparing reception of e-mail technology in medical practice with its historical analogue, reception of the telephone, this article suggests that new expectations, practice standards, and potential liabilities emerge with the introduction of this new communication technology. Physicians using e-mail should be aware of these considerations and construct their e-mail communications accordingly, recognizing that e-mail may be included in the patient's medical record. Likewise, physicians should discuss the ramifications of communicating electronically with patients and obtain documented informed consent before using e-mail. Physicians must keep patient information confidential, which will require taking precautions (including encryption to prevent interception) to preserve patient information, trust, and the integrity of the patient-physician relationship.

Communication↗