The goal of the present study was to examine the effects of domain-relevant expertise on running memory and the ability to process handoffs of information. In addition, the role of active or passive processing was examined.

Currently, there is little research that addresses how individuals with different levels of expertise process information in running memory when the information is needed to perform a real-world task.

Three groups of participants differing in their level of clinical expertise (novice, intermediate, and expert) performed an abstract running memory span task and two tasks resembling real-world activities, a clinical handoff task and an air traffic control (ATC) handoff task. For all tasks, list length and the amount of information to be recalled were manipulated.

Regarding processing strategy, all participants used passive processing for the running memory span and ATC tasks. The novices also used passive processing for the clinical task. The experts, however, appeared to use more active processing, and the intermediates fell in between.

Overall, the results indicated that individuals with clinical expertise and a developed mental model rely more on active processing of incoming information for the clinical task while individuals with little or no knowledge rely on passive processing.

The results have implications about how training should be developed to aid less experienced personnel identify what information should be included in a handoff and what should not.