Table 2. Summary of decision points.
| Decisions (total frequency of responses for each decision) | Provider type | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 1. After/during examining or talking to patient or relative (55) | Attending | 27 |
| NP | 17 | |
| PA | 6 | |
| Resident | 5 | |
| 2. After talking to a specialist (13) | Attending | 8 |
| NP | 3 | |
| PA | 1 | |
| Resident | 1 | |
| 3. After test/image is resulted and discussion with patient/family (13) | Attending | 8 |
| NP | 3 | |
| PA | 2 | |
| 4. During/after discussion with a resident (5) | Attending | 5 |
| 5. After administration of medication and reexamining (4) | Attending | 1 |
| NP | 2 | |
| PA | 1 | |
| 6. During/after discussing with an attending (2) | Resident | 2 |
| 7. After reviewing patient history and conducting exam (2) | NP | 2 |
| 8. Reading through the patient chart (2) | Attending | 2 |
| 9. After seeing the test results and conducting a second physical exam (2) | PA | 1 |
| Attending | 1 | |
| 10. After making calculations on a Web site (1) | Attending | 1 |
| 11. Talking to a respiratory therapist (1) | Attending | 1 |
| 12. After going through head injury protocol; and observation protocol (1) | NP | 1 |
| 13. After asthma assessments (1) | Resident | 1 |
| 14. After gathering her history, conducting a physical exam, and talking to an attending (1) | PA | 1 |
| 15. After obtaining a second opinion (1) | NP | 1 |
| 16. After obtaining medical history and final exam (1) | NP | 1 |
| 17. After referring to TBI algorithm (1) | PA | 1 |
| 18. After medical procedure (1) | Attending | 1 |
| 19. When hearing other attending taking the transfer phone call (1) | Attending | 1 |
| 20. Prior to the patient's arrival at the ED, as well as after speaking with the patient's doctor who referred the patient (1) | Attending | 1 |
| 21. After reading triage notes (1) | Resident | 1 |
| Total | 110 |
Abbreviations: ED, emergency department; NP, nurse practitioner; PA, physician assistant; TBI, traumatic brain injury.