David Grimm

Understanding and Modeling Teams As Dynamical Systems

By its very nature, much of teamwork is distributed across, and not stored within, interdependent people working toward a common goal. In this light, we advocate a systems perspective on teamwork that is based on general coordination principles that are not limited to cognitive, motor, and physiological levels of explanation within the individual. In this article, we present a framework for understanding and modeling teams as dynamical systems and review our empirical findings on teams as dynamical systems. We proceed by (a) considering the question of why study teams as dynamical systems, (b) considering the meaning of dynamical systems concepts (attractors; perturbation; synchronization; fractals) in the context of teams, (c) describe empirical studies of team coordination dynamics at the perceptual-motor, cognitive-behavioral, and cognitive-neurophysiological levels of analysis, and (d) consider the theoretical and practical implications of this approach, including new kinds of explanations of human performance and real-time analysis and performance modeling. Throughout our discussion of the topics we consider how to describe teamwork using equations and/or modeling techniques that describe the dynamics. Finally, we consider what dynamical equations and models do and do not tell us about human performance in teams and suggest future research directions in this area.

Online ethics: where will the interface of mental health and the internet lead us?

While e-health initiatives are poised to revolutionize delivery and access to mental health care, conducting clinical research online involves specific contextual and ethical considerations. Face-to-face psychosocial interventions can at times entail risk and have adverse psychoactive effects, something true for online mental health programs too. Risks associated with and specific to internet psychosocial interventions include potential breaches of confidentiality related to online communications (such as unencrypted email), data privacy and security, risks of self-selection and self-diagnosis as well as the shortcomings of receiving psychoeducation and treatment at distance from an impersonal website. Such ethical issues need to be recognized and proactively managed in website and study design as well as treatment implementation. In order for online interventions to succeed, risks and expectations of all involved need to be carefully considered with a focus on ethical integrity.

Demonstration of a Method for Real-time Detection of Anomalies in Team Communication

Real-time analysis of team communication data to detect anomalies and/or perturbations in the team environment is an ideal method to improve on teams’ interactions and responses to potential crises. In this paper, we demonstrate a method to detect anomalies through observing communication patterns of neurosurgery teams. We simulated the real-time process by analyzing previously collected communication data to assess the effectiveness of a nonlinear prediction model to detect anomalies. We compared predicted values of communication determinism (a measure of how organized communication patterns are) to previous values in each team’s time series. These deviations formed a separate root mean square error (RMSE) time series, and we examined the magnitudes of the RMSE time series at the points of known perturbations. Additionally, we examined the effect of window size on perturbation detection. We found that our nonlinear prediction model accurately detected the perturbations and shows promise for future real-time analysis.

Progressing MoodSwings. The upgrade and evaluation of MoodSwings 2.0: An online intervention for bipolar disorder

MoodSwings 2.0 is a self-guided online intervention for bipolar disorder. The intervention incorporates technological improvements on an earlier validated version of the intervention (MoodSwings 1.0). The previous MoodSwings trial provides this study with a unique opportunity to progress previous work, whilst being able to take into consideration lesson learnt, and technological enhancements. The structure and technology of MoodSwings 2.0 are described and the relevance to other online health interventions is highlighted. An international team from Australia and the US updated and improved the programs content pursuant to changes in DSM-5, added multimedia components and included larger numbers of participants in the group discussion boards. Greater methodological rigour in this trial includes an attention control condition, quarterly telephone assessments, and red flag alerts for significant clinical change. This paper outlines these improvements, including additional security and safety measures. A 3 arm RCT is currently evaluating the enhanced program to assess the efficacy of MS 2.0; the primary outcome is change in depressive and manic symptoms. To our knowledge this is the first randomized controlled online bipolar study with a discussion board attention control and meets the key methodological criteria for online interventions.

Neurodynamic and Communication Analysis of Healthcare Teams During Simulation Debriefings

Objective: To determine whether a dynamical analysis of neural and communication data streams provide fine-grained insights into healthcare team debriefings. Background: Debriefing plays a key role in experiential learning activities such as healthcare simulation because it bolsters the transfer of experience into learning through a process of reflection. There have been few studies examining the neural and communication dynamics of teams as team members are supported by trained facilitators in making better sense of their performance. Method: Electroencephalographic (EEG)–derived brain waves and speech were recorded from experienced and medical student healthcare teams during post-simulation debriefings. Quantitative estimates of the neurodynamic organizations of individual team members and the team were modeled from the EEG data streams at different scalp locations and at frequencies from 1-40 Hz. In parallel the dynamics of speech turn taking were quantified by recurrence frequency analysis. Results: Neurodynamic organizations were preferentially detected from sensors over the parietal lobes with activities present in the alpha, beta and gamma frequency bands. Rhythmic structures emerged as correlations between speech, discussion blocks and team & team member neurodynamic organizations. Conclusion: Organizational representations help reveal the neurodynamic, communication, and cognitive structures of debriefing. Application: The quantitative neurodynamic and communication measures will allow direct comparisons of debriefing structures across teams and debriefing protocols.

A randomized controlled trial of MoodSwings 2.0: An internet-based self-management program for bipolar disorder

MoodSwings 2.0 is an online self‐guided intervention for bipolar disorder that includes educational modules, interactive tools, and discussion forums. The primary aim of the study was to determine if participation in MoodSwings 2.0 would result in decreased symptoms of depression and mania compared to the control condition. Secondary aims were to identify improvements in core depression symptoms, quality of life, medication adherence, functioning, and time to relapse.