Group Decision Support System applied to the medical pluri-disciplinary decision group: Usability and Efficacy

OBJECTIVES This paper aims to study whether the application of a Group Decision Support System to medical collective decision committees is possible and to determine which GDSS specifications are convenient. BACKGROUND We introduce the common knowledge about GDSS and define the process of the collective medical decision. METHODS An experimental GDSS has been tested in an actual medical collective decision committee. A usability analysis has been performed to precise usability and acceptability of the system and to highlight pro and cons of the various functionalities of the GDSS. RESULTS Information sharing was conveniently supported by the GDSS. All the documents were available for the support of the discussion. But, the introduction of a GDSS in the decision committee added new constraints such as the necessity of an excellent preparation phase. Limits of the system have been revealed: lack of feedback on decision actors, lack of support to obtain the consensus and lack of memorisation. According to these results, we have proposed new GDSS features to improve the decision. DISCUSSION-CONCLUSION Using a GDSS supporting the medical collective decision is realistic and may support the process of the consensual decision.