Medical dispatch decision support for transfer time estimation: Individual operator differences in system use

Abstract

Medical dispatchers use estimates of patient transfer times to inform dispatch decisions, and decision support tools that assist with time estimation may lead to improved patient outcomes. However, individual differences between medical dispatchers may result in variances in how these tools are used in practice. A study was conducted to explore how individual difference factors such as numeracy ability, impulsiveness, and venturesomeness are associated with different time prediction strategies when using decision support tools that display historical transfer time information. It was found that individuals did exhibit different time prediction strategies, and some of the variance in behavior could be explained by differences in numeracy and impulsiveness. These preliminary results suggest caution when designing support tools, especially when the target population has large variability in terms of numeracy and impulsiveness characteristics.