Thinking styles of Australasian Paramedics and Paramedicine students

Introduction: Paramedics play important roles in healthcare, yet little is known about their decision-making. There is evidence that thinking style can predict differences in decisions. Method: Australian and New Zealand paramedics (n = 103; mean age: 38.7; mean 12 years experience; 44% female) and paramedic students (n = 101; mean age: 25.7; 59% female) completed a thinking style survey measuring active open-mindedness (AOT), close mindedness (CMT), preference for intuitive thinking (PIT) and preference for effortful thinking (PET). Participants also completed the 7-item Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT). Results: Regression analysis found AOT, age and prior exposure to the CRT predicted cognitive reflection across all participants (R2 / R2 adjusted: 0.198 / 0.157; F(10, 192) = 4.752, p < 0.001). There were moderate correlations between CMT, age, and paramedic experience. There was no difference between paramedics and student performance on the CRT, though more students reported prior exposure to the items (33.7% vs 16.5%; Chi-square (2) = 8.02, p = 0.02). Those who reported prior exposure to the CRT scored significantly higher than those who had not (5.08 [1.44] vs 3.87 [1.70]; F(2, 201) = 14.34, p < 0.001). Conclusion: These results showed decreased cognitive reflection as experience grows. Self-reported AOT was associated with cognitive reflection and indicates a role for open-mindedness in health professions to support decision-making.