Assessment of Visual Attention in Teams with or without Dedicated Team Leaders: A Neonatal Simulation-Based Pilot Randomised Cross-Over Trial Utilising Low-Cost Eye-Tracking Technology

Kannan Loganathan, Prakash; Garg, Anip; McNicol, Robert; Wall, Conor; Pointon, Matthew; McMeekin, Peter; Godfrey, Alan; Wagner, Michael; Roehr, Charles Christoph

Abstract

Background: Eye-tracking technology could be used to study human factors during teamwork. Objectives: This work aimed to compare the visual attention (VA) of a team member acting as both a team leader and managing the airway, compared to a team member performing the focused task of managing the airway in the presence of a dedicated team leader. This work also aimed to report differences in team performance, behavioural skills, and workload between the two groups using validated tools. Methods: We conducted a simulation-based, pilot randomised controlled study. The participants included were volunteer paediatric trainees, nurse practitioners, and neonatal nurses. Three teams consisting of four team members were formed. Each team participated in two identical neonatal resuscitation simulation scenarios in a random order, once with and once without a team leader. Using a commercially available eye-tracking device, we analysed VA regarding attention to (1) a manikin, (2) a colleague, and (3) a monitor. Only the trainee who was the airway operator would wear eye-tracking glasses in both simulations. Results: In total, 6 simulation scenarios and 24 individual role allocations were analysed. Participants in a no-team-leader capacity had a greater number of total fixations on manikin and monitors, though this was not significant. There were no significant differences in team performance, behavioural skills, and individual workload. Physical demand was reported as significantly higher by participants in the group without a team leader. During debriefing, all the teams expressed their preference for having a dedicated team leader. Conclusion: In our pilot study using low-cost technology, we could not demonstrate the difference in VA with the presence of a team leader.

Citation

Kannan Loganathan, P., Garg, A., McNicol, R., Wall, C., Pointon, M., McMeekin, P., Godfrey, A., Wagner, M., & Roehr, C. C. (2024). Assessment of Visual Attention in Teams with or without Dedicated Team Leaders: A Neonatal Simulation-Based Pilot Randomised Cross-Over Trial Utilising Low-Cost Eye-Tracking Technology. Children, 11(8), Article 1023. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11081023

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 16, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Aug 21, 2024
• Publication Date: Aug 21, 2024
• Deposit Date: Sep 11, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 11, 2024
• Journal: Children
• Electronic ISSN: 2227-9067
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 8
• Article Number: 1023
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/children11081023
• Keywords: human factors, neonatal resuscitation, team performance, visual attention, eye tracking
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2820430