• D H J Davis, M Oliver, and A J Byrne.
• Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust, Morriston Hospital, Swansea SA6 6NL, UK.
• Br J Anaesth. 2009 Nov 1;103(5):665-9.

BackgroundCognitive overload has been recognized as a significant cause of error in industries such as aviation, and measuring mental workload has become a key method of improving safety. The aim of this study was to pilot the use of a new method of measuring mental workload using a previously published study design.MethodsTen trainee anaesthetists were exposed to a simulated crisis, similar to that used in a previous study. The mental workload of the trainees was assessed by measuring their response times to a wireless vibrotactile device.ResultsAlthough all subjects treated the 'patient' adequately, response times increased significantly during the crisis (P=0.005). These findings are consistent with increased mental workload and with the findings of other studies using similar techniques.ConclusionsThese findings confirm the importance of mental workload to the performance of anaesthetists, and suggest that raised mental workload is likely to be a common problem. Although further studies are required, the method described may provide a useful method for the measurement of the mental workload of anaesthetists.

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