Understanding the Cognition and Decision Making of Community Anesthesiologists

The investigators are interested in studying why experienced clinicians make specific decisions regarding the monitoring of patients' physiological states and why clinicians might make decisions that are contrary to current best practices or known evidence. More generally, the program objective is to refine and validate a novel methodology to delineate clinicians' decision-making strategies. More specifically, the investigators will study the decision to reverse neuromuscular blockade at the end of an anesthetic. This clinical decision will be studied in this project because: 1) it has been well documented that a substantial percentage of practitioners do not follow best practices; 2) the variables are relatively circumscribed and well described; and 3) it can be framed as a binary decision.

The investigators propose to conduct an observational mixed-methods study developing and using clinical vignettes and cognitive interviews to better understand the decision-making approaches and preferences of clinically active anesthesia providers with regard to their decision-making during clinical anesthesia cases. After developing clinical vignettes and related questions, the investigators will first obtain detailed demographic and clinical practice variables from the participants via a survey. Participants will then review multiple vignettes that present different clinical situations that focus on decisions to reverse neuromuscular blockade and/or extubate the patient. Each participant will provide their decisions for each vignette. The investigators will then conduct an audiotaped interview, using cognitive task analysis methods, to ascertain the factors that played a role in these decisions.

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Key information

Conditions

Neuromuscular Blockade

Age range

21 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Nashville, Tennessee, 37203, United States

About this study

The investigators propose to conduct a 3-site prospective observational mixed-methods study using clinical vignettes and cognitive interviews to better understand the decision making approaches and preferences of practicing community anesthesiologists with regard to the management of non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockade (NMB) at the end of general endotracheal anesthesia cases.

The objectives of this initial study is to begin to understand:

When and why do community anesthesiologists choose to reverse NMB?
What are the decision preferences of community anesthesiologists with regard to their decisions to reverse NMB, and what are the clinician and clinical case factors that influence those decisions?
What are the operational knowledge gaps of anesthesia professionals with regard to their ability to follow best-practice evidence for the reversal of NMB? More generally, the program objective is to refine and validate a novel methodology to delineate clinicians' decision making strategies and triggers.

2.1.2. Study Hypotheses

For this initial study, the investigators hypothesize that:

There will be a significant distribution of clinical variables across community anesthesiologists' decision to reverse NMB.
There will be measurable differences in participant demographics and practice attributes between those who closely follow evidence-based expectations for reversal of NMB and those who do not. The investigators expect community practitioners who do not reverse NMB in accordance with current best evidence to be older, to not be fellowship trained or subspecialty certified, and to practice in lower acuity settings.

This will be a remotely conducted national prospective observational simulation study of 36 experienced community anesthesiologists using a clinical vignette and cognitive interviews to better understand the decision making approaches and preferences of practicing community anesthesiologists with regard to the management of neuromuscular blockade (NMB) at the end of general endotracheal anesthesia cases.

Cognitive interview transcript coders and analysts will be blinded to the identity and attributes of the participants.

Who can participate

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Clinically active experienced anesthesia providers

Exclusion criteria

Anesthesia providers who are no longer practicing or clinically active

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

Accuracy on 9-item NMMR Knowledge Test

Time frame: Day of enrollment only

Percent correct on 9-item test of evidence-based knowledge about neuromuscular monitoring and reversal
Confidence in NMMR Knowledge

Time frame: Day of enrollment

% confidence (0-100) in the correctness of participant's response on the knowledge test

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Other

Collaborators

The Cooper Health System
University of Pittsburgh

Registry information

Official study title

Understanding the Cognition and Decision Making of Community Anesthesiologists in Their Management of End-of-case Neuromuscular Blockade: A Mixed Methods Study

Important dates

Study start: 2023
Primary completion: 2024
Study completion: 2024
First posted: Dec 11, 2019
Registry last updated: Feb 13, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Completed