Examining the Role of Stress and Team Support in Decision Making under Uncertainty and Time Pressure

Abstract

Background. Previous research has examined the individual effects of uncertainty, time pressure, perceived stress, and team support on decision making. However, scant research has investigated how team support and perceived stress collectively influence providers' perception of decision conflict and satisfaction with decision. Objectives. The present study aims to fill this void by examining the potential mediating role of perceived stress and team support in the relationship between time pressure, uncertainty, decision satisfaction, and decision conflict. Methods. Obstetrics and gynecology (Obs and Gynae) physicians (N = 347) working in tertiary care hospitals were approached through snowball and purposive convenient sampling. Self-reported data were collected in the form of questionnaires. Results. Structural equation modeling was used to uncover the complex linkages. Perceived stress was found to be a significant mediator between uncertainty and decision conflict (b = -0.033, P < 0.05). In addition, team support was also found to be a significant mediator between uncertainty and decision satisfaction (b = 0.082, P < 0.05) as well as between time pressure and decision satisfaction (b = 0.086, P < 0.05). Conclusion. Team support acts as a bridge between uncertainty and decision satisfaction and also between time pressure and decision satisfaction, underscoring its critical role in provider perceptions of decision making in the Obs and Gynae context. Implications. This study highlights the significance of managing stress, enhancing team support, and giving priority to patient-centered care. These findings provide insights into risk and uncertainty management in medical decision making, advancing patient-centered care, and optimizing health care outcomes.

Highlights: Stressors in hospital settings such as the complexity and uncertainty of tasks create stress among physicians, potentially leading to decision conflicts.Team support plays a fundamental role in mitigating the negative effects of stressors such as time pressure and uncertainty.Implementing stress management and team support interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness may enhance decision making among Obs and Gynae physicians.

Keywords: conflict with decision; perceived stress; satisfaction with decision; team support; time pressure; uncertainty.