perversi-exploringreasoning-2018.pdf (549.69 kB)
Exploring reasoning mechanisms in ward rounds: a critical realist multiple case study
journal contribution
posted on 2018-01-01, 00:00 authored by Paul Perversi, John YearwoodJohn Yearwood, Emilia BellucciEmilia Bellucci, Andrew Stranieri, Jim Warren, Frada Burstein, Heather Mays, Alan WolffBACKGROUND: Ward rounds are an important and ubiquitous element of hospital care with a history extending well over a century. Although originally intended as a means of educating medical trainees and junior doctors, over time they have become focused on supporting clinical practice. Surprisingly, given their ubiquity and importance, they are under-researched and inadequately understood. This study aims to contribute knowledge in human reasoning within medical teams, meeting a pressing need for research concerning the reasoning occurring in rounds. METHODS: The research reported here aimed to improve the understanding of ward round reasoning by conducting a critical realist case study exploring the collaborative group reasoning mechanisms in the ward rounds of two hospitals in Victoria, Australia. The data collection involved observing rounds, interviewing medical practitioners and holding focus group meetings. RESULTS: Nine group reasoning mechanisms concerning sharing, agreeing and recording information in the categories of information accumulation, sense-making and decision-making were identified, together forming a program theory of ward round reasoning. In addition, themes spanning across mechanisms were identified, further explaining ward round reasoning and suggesting avenues for future exploration. Themes included the use of various criteria, tensions involving mechanisms, time factors, medical roles and hierarchies. CONCLUSIONS: This paper contributes to the literature by representing rounds in a manner that strengthens understanding of the form of the group reasoning occurring within, thus supporting theory-based evaluation strategies, redesigned practices and training enhancements.
History
Journal
BMC health services researchVolume
18Article number
643Pagination
1 - 11Publisher
BioMed CentralLocation
London, Eng.Publisher DOI
Link to full text
ISSN
1472-6963Language
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal; C Journal articleCopyright notice
2018, The AuthorsUsage metrics
Keywords
Case studyCausal mechanismsCritical realismDecision-makingMedical reasoningProgram theorySense-makingTeamworkWard roundsScience & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicineHealth Care Sciences & ServicesATTENDING ROUNDSINFORMATION-SYSTEMSBEDSIDE ROUNDSCAREQUALITYHEALTHCOMMUNICATIONFRAMEWORKOUTCOMESLibrary and Information Studies
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