This paper describes a network model for mental processes making use of shared mental models (SMM) of team performance. The paper illustrates the value of adequate SMM’s for safe and efficient team performance. The addressed application context is that of a medical team performing a tracheal intubation executed by a nurse and a medical specialist. Simulations of successful and unsuccessful team performance have been performed, some of which are presented. The paper discusses potential further elaborations for future research as well as implications for other domains of team performance.

This paper describes a second-order adaptive network model for mental processes making use of shared mental models for team performance. The paper illustrates the value of adequate shared mental models for safe and efficient team performance and in cases of imperfections of such shared team models how this complicates the team performance. It is illustrated for a context of a medical team performing a tracheal intubation. Simulations illustrate how the adaptive network model is able to address the type of complications that can occur in realistic scenarios.