Cognitive modeling as a tool for decision support system design in anesthesia

The anesthesia process is becoming more and more complex as a result of the need for continuous improvement. As a result, the process is not always manageable for the anesthesiologist without support. The authors are therefore developing methods for the design of a decision support system in anesthesia. This paper describes the research aimed at finding out which, when, and how information should be presented to the anesthesiologist. The authors have developed a model of the decision making process of the anesthesiologist, which is based on models of decision making in industrial settings and in anesthesia. The model states that the decision making process of the anesthesiologist is guided by goals and expectations, and is primarily influenced by the context. An observation study proved the face validity of the model, but further research will have to show whether the model can be used for finding information requirements in anesthesia.