Cognitive bias and decision aid use under stressful conditions

ABSTRACT

Stressful environments encapsulate factors such as time pressure and information overload that act as inhibitors to intention to use decision aids. In this study, we investigate a stressful environment in a hospital and explore factors that are positively and negatively associated with the intention to use a decision aid. We then develop a theoretical model based on the literature and employ survey data from healthcare experts together with structural equation modelling to investigate the model. In addition to the expected factors from the Technology Acceptance Model, we uncover three additional constructs: information quality, perceived risk, and environment. Our analysis suggests that the perceived personal risk to the decision maker is positively related to attitude toward the decision aid, and that environment is an inhibitor and negatively related. Information quality was not significantly related in our analysis. We also uncover overconfidence bias as an inhibitor to intention to use decision aids.

KEYWORDS:

• Cognitive bias
• overconfidence
• stress
• decision support system
• medication error

Acknowledgments

WellSpan Health System approved and participated in this study. We extend sincere thanks to Kristen O’Shea, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Vice President of Patient Care Services at Gettysburg Hospital, and Chief Transformation Officer at WellSpan Health System, for her guidance. Parts of this study were supported by a research grant from Loyola University Maryland and the Sellinger School of Business.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.