Work patterns of intensive care unit doctors
This case study was undertaken by a research team in Australia used an existing work study template (previously applied in studies of doctors on wards and in emergency departments) to examine the work of intensive care doctors.
Work patterns of ICU doctors
Showcasing how WOMBAT is used by global research teams
The intensive care unit (ICU) is known to be a complex environment, where clinicians care for some of the most acutely ill patients in hospital.
Decision making in intensive care is also multifaceted and involves collaboration between ICU doctors, medical teams from other specialties.
It also includes multiple information elements such as:
- flow charts
- patient notes
- medication charts
- vital signs
- test results
- images.
The aim of this study was to measure:
- how ICU doctors spend their time
- what information resources they use to assist their work
- with whom they work
- how often they multitask or are interrupted.
A secondary aim was to compare the work patterns of ICU doctors with those of doctors on general wards and in emergency departments from previously published WOMBAT studies.
The study was conducted in two ICUs at two major teaching hospitals in Sydney and involved 26 doctors. Two observers used an existing WOMBAT study template and task classification to record over 160 hours of observation.
Findings
The findings showed that ICU doctors spent:
- 69% of time working at patients’ bedsides
- 50% of time in professional communication
- 39% of time accessing information resources
- over half (54%) of their time with other ICU doctors and 29% with nurses.
ICU doctors had a high multitasking rate (40 times per hour) and were interrupted four times per hour.
Compared with doctors on general wards and emergency departments, ICU doctors spent more time in professional communication, more time with patients, and more time with nurses. ICU doctors were also more likely to multitask.
By using a study template and work task classification used in previous WOMBAT studies, the researchers were able to demonstrate how ICU doctors manage their time and work demands compared with their colleagues on general wards and in emergency departments.
Using WOMBAT allowed the researchers to quantify the more complex environment of the ICU, which necessitates high levels of multitasking and interdisciplinary collaboration to care for acutely ill patients.