Physicians' perceptions of two ways of algorithm presentation: graphic versus text-based approach

Acute bleeding during surgery or after trauma harms patients, and challenges involved physicians. Protocols and cognitive aids can help in such situations. This dual-centre study investigated physicians' opinions regarding two ways to present cognitive aids, graphic ‘Haemostasis Traffic Light’ and text-based, using the example of a coagulation management algorithm to identify the strengths and limitations of both presentation modalities. Using qualitative research methods, we identified recurring answer patterns and derived major topics and subthemes through inductive coding. Eighty-four physicians participated. We assigned each half randomly to one of the cognitive aids (graphic/text-based) and determined 447 usable statements. We qualitatively deduced the importance of having a cognitive aid for physicians. Furthermore, it is noticeable that the graphic group made more positive comments (154 of 242 (64%) statements), while the text-based participants made more negative annotations (126 of 205 (61%) statements), suggesting a generally stronger approval of this cognitive aid. <b>Practitioner summary:</b> This qualitative study provides an overview of physicians` positive and negative perceptions regarding two presentation ways for a coagulation management algorithm. Participants perceived the graphic method created according to user-centred design principles more positively. The analysis reveals components that an ideal algorithm should have to help streamline the decision-making process.

手术中或创伤后发生的急性出血会对患者造成损害，同时也给临床医师带来诸多挑战。诊疗规程与认知辅助工具（cognitive aids）可在此类场景中提供有效帮助。本项双中心研究以凝血管理算法为案例，针对两种认知辅助工具的呈现形式——图形化“止血交通灯”方案与纯文本方案，调研了临床医师的使用反馈，旨在明确两类呈现形式的优势与局限。本研究采用质性研究方法，通过归纳式编码识别出重复性作答模式，并提炼出核心主题与子主题。共计84名医师参与本研究，我们将其随机均分为两组，分别使用图形化或文本型认知辅助工具，最终回收有效陈述447条。质性分析结果证实了临床医师对认知辅助工具的迫切需求。此外，值得关注的是，图形化工具组的阳性评价占比更高（242条陈述中154条为正面评价，占比64%），而文本组则以负面标注居多（205条陈述中126条为负面评价，占比61%），这表明受试者对图形化认知辅助工具的认可度整体更高。<b>从业者摘要：</b>本项质性研究梳理了临床医师对凝血管理算法两种呈现形式的正负向认知。受试者对遵循以用户为中心的设计原则打造的图形化方案认可度更高。分析结果同时揭示了理想的诊疗算法所需具备的核心要素，可助力优化临床决策流程。