Effect of analytical and supportive goals on information recall and information value by nurse practitioners

This study examined whether or not goal orientation impacted the tasks of recalling data, rating perceived importance of data, and identifying problems with nurse practitioners (NPs). Goal manipulation "wasanalytical" (to "diagnose and treat the patient") or "supportive" (to "help the patient and her family through this situation"). A one-way (goal orientation) factorial design was employed. As compared to the supportive group, persons in the analytical group recalled statistically significantly more analytical items, rated analytical items as more useful, and listed proportionally more analytical problems. The pattern of results was similar for the supportive group except for recall of supportive informational items. Results are discussed in terms of implications for the development of decision support and understanding information processing in the clinical setting.